hidden agenda

noun

: an ulterior motive

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web So that was my hidden agenda, just to help her showcase all these different sides. —

Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 29 Jan. 2023 And when said Italian pop star is revealed to be the real sneaky brownnoser with the hidden agenda, so commences the Ungermeyer revenge plot! —

Vulture Staff, Vulture, 29 Apr. 2022 The lawmaker suggested the judge might have a hidden agenda of letting violent criminals, killers of police officers and child predators back on the streets. —

New York Times, 21 Mar. 2022 Hawkins cleverly doles out the clues to each character’s personality and motive for being on this trip, and how each has a hidden agenda. —

Oline H. Cogdill, sun-sentinel.com, 11 Jan. 2022 Some Tweeters wondered whether the band had a hidden agenda. —

Michael Ordoña, Los Angeles Times, 11 June 2021 Cool, calculating and focused on executing the company’s hidden agenda. —

Scott Tobias, New York Times, 18 Apr. 2018 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hidden agenda.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.