Synonym Chooser

How does the verb interpolate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of interpolate are insert, insinuate, intercalate, interject, interpose, and introduce. While all these words mean "to put between or among others," interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious.

interpolated her own comments into the report

Where would insert be a reasonable alternative to interpolate?

The synonyms insert and interpolate are sometimes interchangeable, but insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among.

inserted a clause in the contract

When might insinuate be a better fit than interpolate?

Although the words insinuate and interpolate have much in common, insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure.

insinuated himself into the group

When could intercalate be used to replace interpolate?

The words intercalate and interpolate can be used in similar contexts, but intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence.

new chapters intercalated with the old

When can interject be used instead of interpolate?

The meanings of interject and interpolate largely overlap; however, interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction.

interjected a question

In what contexts can interpose take the place of interpolate?

While in some cases nearly identical to interpolate, interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay.

interpose barriers to communication

When is it sensible to use introduce instead of interpolate?

The words introduce and interpolate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence.

introduced a new topic into the conversation

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of interpolate Her paintings from the 1960s are themselves interpolated by the body’s surrogates: fluid stains, eyes, claws, and extracted human teeth. Elizabeth Mangini, Artforum, 1 Sep. 2025 To commemorate the release, Jones spoke with Variety about interpolating Brandy for one of the deluxe album’s tracks, name-checking Chappell Roan on another and plans for her wedding after she got engaged to Donovan Mitchell last month. Steven J. Horowitz, Variety, 15 Aug. 2025 The original code interpolated the user input (term) into the SQL query string. Mohit Menghnani, Forbes.com, 3 July 2025 His backstory involves a terrible crash at the Spanish Grand Prix in his 30s that still gives him nightmares (and explains the film’s cryptic opening, in which calming ocean waves are interpolated with gritty video images of a high-speed race). Damon Wise, Deadline, 17 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for interpolate
Recent Examples of Synonyms for interpolate
Verb
  • The woman had catheters inserted in her about 30 times over the years, but never had an experience like the one with Miller, the prosecutor said.
    City News Service, Oc Register, 8 Nov. 2025
  • The clerks inserted memory sticks from the tabulators with results from their local election into the laptop and a program transmitted them to the county through a dedicated, secured network.
    Christina Hall, Freep.com, 8 Nov. 2025
Verb
  • The new foreign media legislation, introduced by Likud lawmaker Ariel Kallner and backed by Netanyahu’s right-wing coalition, would make such powers permanent — even outside times of war or national emergency — and remove the requirement for judicial oversight.
    Tal Shalev, CNN Money, 11 Nov. 2025
  • Those subsidies, which were introduced during the COVID pandemic, are set to expire at the end of the year and could leave as many as 22 million Americans with significantly higher monthly health insurance premiums if Congress does not extend them.
    Nik Popli, Time, 11 Nov. 2025

Browse Nearby Words

Podcast

Cite this Entry

“Interpolate.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/interpolate. Accessed 13 Nov. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on interpolate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!