intersperse
verb
in·ter·sperse ˌin-tər-ˈspərs 
interspersed; interspersing
transitive verb
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
interspersion
ˌin-tər-ˈspər-zhən
noun -shən
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.
Synonyms
- interlace
- interweave
- lace
- salt
- thread
- weave
- wreathe
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
You should intersperse these pictures evenly throughout the book. Some seagulls were interspersed among the ducks.
Recent Examples on the Web Some fingerpicking guitarists also intersperse percussive tapping along with the melody, chords, and bassline. 
Shirley Macfarland, cleveland, 8 July 2022 Rather than tell the story in a linear fashion, following Sunja’s life, Hugh chose to intersperse her story with that of her grandson’s. Joan Macdonald, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 Rubin, being a columnist, does intersperse some opinion and analysis into her storytelling. Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2021 When ready to make the drink, intersperse the watermelon ice cubes with regular ice and cucumber wheels. Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2021 Only Weir could intersperse rocket science with dad jokes and create a memorable space MacGyver in Grace, who can science his way out of any situation. BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2021 Choose three stories that are best suited to intersperse into this project. Esther Choy, Forbes, 11 Apr. 2021 However, the wide receivers still struggled to get open deep, so the Tigers were mostly only able to intersperse short and medium passes in with the runs. Giana Han, al, 5 Dec. 2020 During the week, Noble and her fellow teachers see paying students for riding lessons and intersperse those sessions with free classes for Humble. Tony Bravo, SFChronicle.com, 30 Oct. 2020 See More
Shirley Macfarland, cleveland, 8 July 2022 Rather than tell the story in a linear fashion, following Sunja’s life, Hugh chose to intersperse her story with that of her grandson’s. Joan Macdonald, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2022 Rubin, being a columnist, does intersperse some opinion and analysis into her storytelling. Washington Post, 8 Oct. 2021 When ready to make the drink, intersperse the watermelon ice cubes with regular ice and cucumber wheels. Washington Post, 20 Aug. 2021 Only Weir could intersperse rocket science with dad jokes and create a memorable space MacGyver in Grace, who can science his way out of any situation. BostonGlobe.com, 13 May 2021 Choose three stories that are best suited to intersperse into this project. Esther Choy, Forbes, 11 Apr. 2021 However, the wide receivers still struggled to get open deep, so the Tigers were mostly only able to intersperse short and medium passes in with the runs. Giana Han, al, 5 Dec. 2020 During the week, Noble and her fellow teachers see paying students for riding lessons and intersperse those sessions with free classes for Humble. Tony Bravo, SFChronicle.com, 30 Oct. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
Latin interspersus interspersed, from inter- + sparsus, past participle of spargere to scatter — more at spark
First Known Use
1566, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Kids Definition
intersperse
verb
in·ter·sperse ˌin-tər-ˈspərs
interspersed; interspersing
1
: to put (something) here and there among other things
The publisher interspersed pictures throughout the book.
2
: to put things at various places in or among
Sunshine was interspersed with clouds.
intersperse
verb
1
as in to weave
to scatter or set here and there among other things for variety, intersperse some photos among the other decorations on the wall Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- weave
- mix
- combine
- insert
- incorporate
- salt
- interweave
- thread
- interlace
- alternate
- blend
- integrate
- intermingle
- juxtapose
- merge
- mingle
- lace
- wreathe
- amalgamate
- embody
- commingle
- assimilate
- fuse
2
as in to insert
to put among or between others intersperses some fascinating factoids about wine between his profiles of the nation's leading wineries Synonyms & Similar Words
- insert
- introduce
- interject
- inject
- add
- interpolate
- intercalate
- interpose
- edge in
- insinuate
- work in
- weave
- sandwich (in or between)
- inset
- install
- fit (in or into)
- append
- cut in
- attach
- interline
- cram
- inlay
- wedge
- thrust
- shove
- interfile
- lard
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- extract
- eliminate
- exclude
- deduct
- withdraw
- subtract
- detach
- expel
- eject
- reject