ULTERIOR Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

ulterior

adjective

Definition of ulterior

as in eventual

occurring at a later time were able to proceed without ulterior argument

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of ulterior Could Donal have some ulterior, possibly financial, motive for wanting to check out the family business again? — Jessica Kiang, Variety, 14 Sep. 2025 The Dershowitz theory does not compute because the government invariably manipulates projections about future harm for ulterior partisan or personal motives. — Bruce Fein, Baltimore Sun, 24 July 2025 At this point, supporter opposition to the Egyptian venture appeared to have ulterior reasoning, beyond the dispute about Mashhour’s comments, owing to the club’s recent performance on the pitch. — Adam Crafton, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025 In the larger sense, along with truth comes a distortion of it, sometimes innocently and inadvertently but, more often than not, by design and for ulterior purposes. — Eli Amdur, Forbes.com, 13 Apr. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ulterior

Recent Examples of Synonyms for ulterior

Adjective

The Current’s postseason run never got started, with a loss to eventual champions Gotham FC at home in the first round.

— PJ Green, Kansas City Star, 7 Sep. 2026
Oil analysts believe the conflict’s eventual resolution could ultimately involve some kind of agreement to allow Iran to charge tolls for safe passage through the strait.

— David Goldman, CNN Money, 7 Sep. 2026

Definition of eventual

Adjective

The scene cuts to Sally and Gillian, who both come to a sudden awareness of Franny’s ultimate act of selflessness.

— Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Sep. 2026
The ultimate result is, plainly, a crowd-pleaser — the good kind — engineered by someone who knows the difference between manipulating its audience and bringing genuine care and heart to a story.

— Angelique Jackson, Variety, 11 Sep. 2026

Definition of ultimate

Adjective

The president hit many of his familiar rally points during the speech, touting his record on border security, last year's tax legislation, his tariff-heavy approach to trade and his White House renovation kick — including his planned ballroom.

— Joe Walsh, CBS News, 10 Sep. 2026
The singer revealed the condition to fans three months later after canceling the rest of his planned gigs.

— Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2026

Definition of planned

Adjective

His calmness on the ball and ability to break lines with his passing is important to Hurzeler’s style of play — no goalkeeper made more passes last season.

— Andy Naylor, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2026
Warren, on the other hand, was humbled last week in a 35-point defeat to Fountain Lake.

— Arkansas Online, Arkansas Online, 9 Sep. 2026

Definition of last

Adjective

The legal fight over eligibility rules that has engulfed college sports escalated Thursday when the SEC filed a federal lawsuit against LSU in Alabama to counter the anticipated ruling for the players in Louisiana.

— Ralph D. Russo, New York Times, 5 Sep. 2026
In one of the most anticipated regular season bouts of the Texas high school football season, eight time state champion Southlake Carroll aimed to knock off North Crowley.

— Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of anticipated

Browse Nearby Words

ulsters

ulterior

ultimate

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“Ulterior.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/ulterior. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of ulterior

adjective

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