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
Chewy coconut, crunchy cashew crumbs, lots of caramel goo interspersed with chocolate goo.
—
Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026
Speaking of spikes, over at the megalith design exhibition Alcova, CJ Aslan – founder of fashion brand ASLAN WORLD – presents a chair and ottoman covered in a sea of sharp stainless steel ones, interspersed playfully with gemstones.
—Francesca Perry, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Development The American model of journalistic objectivity is a fairly recent development, predated by the partisan press and interspersed with various reactionary movements, such as new journalism (1960–1970s) and public journalism (1990s).
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Tropical plants and sculptures are interspersed throughout the property, which runs along Biscayne Bay.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intersperse
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Alex Beggs, Bon Appetit Magazine, 25 Apr. 2026
Speaking of spikes, over at the megalith design exhibition Alcova, CJ Aslan – founder of fashion brand ASLAN WORLD – presents a chair and ottoman covered in a sea of sharp stainless steel ones, interspersed playfully with gemstones.
—Francesca Perry, CNN Money, 24 Apr. 2026
Development The American model of journalistic objectivity is a fairly recent development, predated by the partisan press and interspersed with various reactionary movements, such as new journalism (1960–1970s) and public journalism (1990s).
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 23 Apr. 2026
Tropical plants and sculptures are interspersed throughout the property, which runs along Biscayne Bay.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 23 Apr. 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 29 Apr. 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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