intersperse

verb

in·​ter·​sperse ˌin-tər-ˈspərs How to pronounce intersperse (audio)
interspersed; interspersing

transitive verb

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
interspersion noun

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
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.
The conversational nature of LLM data—often interspersed with personal or confidential information—adds layers of complexity for compliance. Mandar Khoje, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025 The question is in reference to Shapiro’s viral YouTube review of Wicked — 19 solid minutes of him gushing about the film interspersed with minor gripes about orchestration and Ariana Grande’s performance as Glinda the Good Witch. Seth Abramovitch, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Jan. 2025 The song went viral, and was followed by a video version in which Singh performs at a studio microphone, her singing interspersed with footage of gun-toting Indian soldiers and grieving families. Robert F. Worth, The Atlantic, 2 Jan. 2025 The author presents us with a dual progression: the tale of modern-day father and son treasure hunters and their search for the Connaught, interspersed with a recreation of the fateful journey of that vessel itself. Chris Wheatley, Longreads, 3 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for intersperse 

Word History

Etymology

Latin interspersus interspersed, from inter- + sparsus, past participle of spargere to scatter — more at spark

First Known Use

1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Time Traveler
The first known use of intersperse was in 1566

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Dictionary Entries Near intersperse

Cite this Entry

“Intersperse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intersperse. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

intersperse

verb
in·​ter·​sperse ˌint-ər-ˈspərs How to pronounce intersperse (audio)
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
interspersion noun

More from Merriam-Webster on intersperse

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