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
However, interspersed among the 500-year-old artifacts, the researchers also found lots of modern trash—everything from beer cans and yogurt containers to plastic bottles and fishing nets.
—
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
In some ways, Cruise was simply doing what all stars do: interspersing riskier material with the surefire hits.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 June 2025
Its lineup interspersed noisy no wave groups like Pop Music Fever Dream and Pure Adult, upbeat pop-rock performances from bands like Um, Jennifer?
—Grace Robins-Somerville, Pitchfork, 4 June 2025
At one point in the show, a video montage played showing Paytas crying on the floor of her kitchen interspersed with music videos of her emo drag king persona, Sadboy2005.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 30 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for intersperse
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Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 June 2025
In some ways, Cruise was simply doing what all stars do: interspersing riskier material with the surefire hits.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 5 June 2025
Its lineup interspersed noisy no wave groups like Pop Music Fever Dream and Pure Adult, upbeat pop-rock performances from bands like Um, Jennifer?
—Grace Robins-Somerville, Pitchfork, 4 June 2025
At one point in the show, a video montage played showing Paytas crying on the floor of her kitchen interspersed with music videos of her emo drag king persona, Sadboy2005.
—Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 30 May 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 5 Jul. 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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