intersperse

[in-ter-spurs]

verb (used with object)

interspersed, interspersing 

1. to scatter here and there or place at intervals among other things.

   to intersperse flowers among shrubs.

   Synonyms: sprinkle, strew

2. to diversify with something placed or scattered at intervals.

   to intersperse a dull speech with interesting anecdotes.

intersperse

/ ˌɪntəˈspɜːs, ˌɪntəˈspɜːsɪdlɪ, ˌɪntəˈspɜːʃən /

verb

1. to scatter or distribute among, between, or on

2. to diversify (something) with other things scattered here and there

Other Word Forms

• interspersedly adverb
• interspersion noun
• interspersal noun
• uninterspersed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of intersperse¹

1560–70; < Latin interspersus (past participle of interspergere to strew here and there), equivalent to inter- inter- + -spersus, combining form of sparsus, past participle of spargere to scatter; disperse

Word History and Origins

Origin of intersperse¹

C16: from Latin interspargere, from _inter- + spargere to sprinkle

Example Sentences

It captures the star as she falls in love with American Footballer Travis Kelce; interspersed with cautionary - and sometimes catty - tales about the music industry.

From BBC

Lee surrounds himself with a network of well-meaning people who take care of each other, interspersed with assorted ne’er-do-wells.

From Salon

His voice has an on-trend soothing quality, lending itself to music that is iconoclastic yet classic — rooted in his early influences, especially American R&B and soul, and interspersed with Japanese elements.

From Los Angeles Times

So it's no surprise that serious petitions to governments have always been interspersed with tongue-in-cheek campaigns designed to raise a laugh.

From BBC

Drone teams generally work closely during lengthy shifts of focused concentration, heightened vigilance and sustained surveillance of often innocuous terrain — interspersed with intense moments of target identification, weapon delivery and exposure to high-definition combat-related imagery.

From Salon

Related Words

• infuse 
• pepper 
• sprinkle