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
Over two minutes, a spectrum of Black improvisational styles battle on what feels like a Red Planet, interspersed with video game chirps and tectonic-shifting airblasts that cool the magma cooked up during combat, each one building off the other’s energy.
—
Tatiana Lee Rodriguez, Pitchfork, 1 June 2026
This was the first of two drone shows the Pirates have planned, interspersed with fireworks shows.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
May 26 sports commentary Hey, Sean Keeler, Kiss every bruise, interspersing my whooped behind.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Days quickly merge into one another, interspersed with dips in the large pool—or aperitivo beside it; bike rides through the adjacent countryside; road trips to the beach; visits to nearby villages, including Margarites, which is famous for its ceramic making.
—Katie Silcox, Vogue, 28 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for intersperse
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Tatiana Lee Rodriguez, Pitchfork, 1 June 2026
This was the first of two drone shows the Pirates have planned, interspersed with fireworks shows.
—Matt Reigle Outkick, FOXNews.com, 30 May 2026
May 26 sports commentary Hey, Sean Keeler, Kiss every bruise, interspersing my whooped behind.
—Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 29 May 2026
Days quickly merge into one another, interspersed with dips in the large pool—or aperitivo beside it; bike rides through the adjacent countryside; road trips to the beach; visits to nearby villages, including Margarites, which is famous for its ceramic making.
—Katie Silcox, Vogue, 28 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 2 Jun. 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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