intersperse

American  

[in-ter-spurs] / ˌɪn tərˈspɜrs /

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.

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intersperse British  

/ ˌɪntəˈspɜːs, ˌɪntəˈspɜːsɪdlɪ, ˌɪntəˈspɜːʃən /

verb

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

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

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Other Word Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of intersperse

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

Example Sentences

While Hartman believes it’s best to intersperse the music between races, it’s not the only way to do things.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 27, 2024

“Each year we sell some of these bison to intersperse their genetics with those of other herds to improve the health of the species’ population across the nation,” Noem said.

From Seattle Times • Sep. 29, 2023

In the fall of 2023, the museum will intersperse about a dozen of Hendricks’s portraits among its own holdings in an exhibition at its temporary home, Frick Madison.

From New York Times • Jul. 13, 2022

They intersperse the science with accounts of what forests have traditionally meant to the peoples who live in them.

From Washington Post • Apr. 1, 2022

Granted that the first half of the 'novel' is beautiful in style, does not Jefferies suddenly break his method, introduce his own personality, intersperse abrupt disquisitions on food, illness, and Fleet Street?

From Amaryllis at the Fair by Jefferies, Richard

Related Words

• infuse
• pepper
• sprinkle