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

Native trees like alder, spruce and rowan are interspersed with hawthorn shrubs.

From BBC

We learn all of this via flashbacks interspersed throughout the present-day trials of Dr. Grace after he wakes up, clueless, on a spaceship extremely far from home.

From The Wall Street Journal

Iranian authorities have not commented on the Israeli statements, which came after a night of heavy bombardment in Tehran interspersed with the sound of thunder.

From BBC

The administration has published a heavy stream of video on social media showing war footage, interspersed with pop-culture media such as imagery from the videogame franchise “Call of Duty.”

From The Wall Street Journal

U.S. government accounts have posted stylized videos of strikes, some interspersed with movie or videogame footage.

From The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• infuse
• pepper
• sprinkle