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
Many of those at the Mass had been in place for hours to secure a spot for the vibrant liturgy interspersed with music from a local choir.
—
Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
The pounding dembow riddims boldly crash into electro pop, rock, and trap, interspersed with gentle waves crashing and lyrics about lovers who never pulled up.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
To achieve this effect, alternate rows of potatoes and beans in the garden, or intersperse beans within blocks of potatoes.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
And often, these landscapes can be interspersed among each other.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 16 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for intersperse
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Christopher Lamb, CNN Money, 17 Apr. 2026
The pounding dembow riddims boldly crash into electro pop, rock, and trap, interspersed with gentle waves crashing and lyrics about lovers who never pulled up.
—E.r. Pulgar, Pitchfork, 16 Apr. 2026
To achieve this effect, alternate rows of potatoes and beans in the garden, or intersperse beans within blocks of potatoes.
—Kim Toscano, Southern Living, 16 Apr. 2026
And often, these landscapes can be interspersed among each other.
—Jaclyn Cosgrove, Los Angeles Times, 16 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 23 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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