ulterior motive

noun

: a secret reason
I think she has an ulterior motive for helping us.

Examples of ulterior motive in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Others think that networking is about approaching other people with the blatant ulterior motive of selling something, as if the very essence of networking is transactional and manipulative. Jay Sullivan, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024 The hotel had an ulterior motive: to save money on laundry. Kristin Hostetter, Outside Online, 9 Aug. 2023 Prince's guest appearance on New Girl may have had an ulterior motive. Wesley Stenzel, EW.com, 31 Oct. 2024 In contrast to a genuine consumption-boosting stimulus package, the current set of measures appears to have an ulterior motive: strengthening China’s ability to outcompete the West economically and militarily. Zongyuan Zoe Liu, Foreign Affairs, 31 Oct. 2024 Even if people aren’t sharing with an ulterior motive, there’s still the issue of whether these spontaneous videos could worsen mental health. Tanyel Mustafa, refinery29.com, 16 July 2024 Questions with an ulterior motive are also not a good move. Sophie Mancini, Vogue, 2 July 2024 His ulterior motive was to row for Oxford and get a chance to compete in The Boat Race, one of oldest and most prestigious amateur sporting events in the world, where Oxford rows against Cambridge. Lori Riley, Hartford Courant, 16 May 2024 Editors’ Picks Image Buffalo country My trekking plan always had an ulterior motive: to justify gorging on Cilento food and wine. Nina Burleigh, New York Times, 21 May 2024

Dictionary Entries Near ulterior motive

Cite this Entry

“Ulterior motive.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ulterior%20motive. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!