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.

---

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

---

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

The same holds true for Peloton’s bootcamp classes, which intersperse floor exercises with cycling / running.

From The Verge • Jan. 31, 2022

That a grave historian should intersperse the innumerable trivialities of the Worthies may be only less shocking.

From A History of Elizabethan Literature by Saintsbury, George

Related Words

• infuse
• pepper
• sprinkle