intersperse
verb
in·ter·sperse
ˌin-tər-ˈspərs 
interspersed; interspersing
1
: to insert at intervals among other things
interspersing drawings throughout the text
2
: to place something at intervals in or among
intersperse a book with pictures
Did you know?
Intersperse comes from Latin interspersus, a combination of the prefix inter- ("between or among") and sparsus, the past participle of spargere, meaning "to scatter." Sparsus is also the source of sparse.
Examples of intersperse in a Sentence
You should intersperse these pictures evenly throughout the book.
Some seagulls were interspersed among the ducks.
Recent Examples on the Web
Furniture and decorations interspersed throughout the space — doilies, laminated wood cabinets and plastic chairs — evoke the sensation of traveling back in time.
—
Valeriya Safronova, New York Times, 1 May 2025
The dial’s vivid color is echoed by ruby root beads in juicy cerise and raspberry tones, interspersed throughout the chain.
—Milena Lazazzera, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
The epic performances brought a tear to my eye, but to keep things grounded, these were interspersed with light-touch interviews with many of Zimmer’s famous musical and professional collaborators.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
The opening features industrial stills of Bilbao, interspersed with references to the Pact of Ajuria Enea and the leadership of José Antonio Ardanza.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intersperse
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Valeriya Safronova, New York Times, 1 May 2025
The dial’s vivid color is echoed by ruby root beads in juicy cerise and raspberry tones, interspersed throughout the chain.
—Milena Lazazzera, CNN Money, 4 Apr. 2025
The epic performances brought a tear to my eye, but to keep things grounded, these were interspersed with light-touch interviews with many of Zimmer’s famous musical and professional collaborators.
—Benny Har-Even, Forbes.com, 30 Mar. 2025
The opening features industrial stills of Bilbao, interspersed with references to the Pact of Ajuria Enea and the leadership of José Antonio Ardanza.
—Callum McLennan, Variety, 19 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intersperse
Cite this Entry
“Intersperse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intersperse. Accessed 9 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
intersperse
verb
in·ter·sperse
ˌint-ər-ˈspərs
interspersed; interspersing
1
: to set here and there among other things
intersperse pictures in a book
2
: to vary with things inserted here and there
interspersed the photo album with her poetry
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