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
As in Kourliandski’s quartet, specks and splatters of sound are interspersed with silences.
—
Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The video interspersed clips from the postdebate exchange with footage from earlier debates and campaign videos, including moments in which Girvan criticized ethics issues and questioned Gaspar’s political ties to Lee.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 14 May 2026
Where stronger rainfall is interspersed with longer dry spells, the land gets drier.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
There are upwards of 30 galleries in town, interspersed among the quintessential gift boutiques, fudge shops, and lobster shacks.
—Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intersperse
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Alex Ross, New Yorker, 18 May 2026
The video interspersed clips from the postdebate exchange with footage from earlier debates and campaign videos, including moments in which Girvan criticized ethics issues and questioned Gaspar’s political ties to Lee.
—Teresa Liu, Daily News, 14 May 2026
Where stronger rainfall is interspersed with longer dry spells, the land gets drier.
—Ian James, Los Angeles Times, 13 May 2026
There are upwards of 30 galleries in town, interspersed among the quintessential gift boutiques, fudge shops, and lobster shacks.
—Amy Thomas, Travel + Leisure, 12 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intersperse
Cite this Entry
“Intersperse.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/intersperse. Accessed 19 May. 2026.
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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