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View synonyms for ulterior motive
ulterior motive
[ uhl-teer-ee-er moh-tiv ]
noun
- a secret reason for doing something; a purpose, often the main purpose, that is kept hidden:
When his enemy the Sheriff of Nottingham calls for an archery contest, Robin Hood suspects an ulterior motive, namely, to flush Robin out of hiding.
It turns out she had an ulterior motive for being so friendly and helpful—she was a con artist hoping to sign me up.
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Word History and Origins
Origin of ulterior motive1
First recorded in 1800–10
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