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
The result is a blend of high-octane combat interspersed with frenetic hacking puzzles that's looking like a tasty, atmospheric sci-fi cocktail.
—
Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
In Austin’s third collection, readers can expect his trademark gorgeously crystalline lyrics interspersed with more conversational wanderings, capturing new stages of life.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
The Kremlin leader makes sweeping pronouncements about the current global order, interspersed with small-bore questions from local journalists about the quality of roads in the Komi Republic.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The goal of the planning process was to avoid homogenous design and intersperse architecture with a variety of landscapes, including open green spaces, playing fields, semi-public courtyards, and gardens.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for intersperse
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Alan Bradley, Space.com, 5 Jan. 2026
In Austin’s third collection, readers can expect his trademark gorgeously crystalline lyrics interspersed with more conversational wanderings, capturing new stages of life.
—Literary Hub, 2 Jan. 2026
The Kremlin leader makes sweeping pronouncements about the current global order, interspersed with small-bore questions from local journalists about the quality of roads in the Komi Republic.
—Nathan Hodge, CNN Money, 19 Dec. 2025
The goal of the planning process was to avoid homogenous design and intersperse architecture with a variety of landscapes, including open green spaces, playing fields, semi-public courtyards, and gardens.
—Justin Davidson, Curbed, 16 Dec. 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 8 Jan. 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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