INTERCALATE Synonyms: 37 Similar and Opposite Words

intercalate

verb

in-ˈtər-kə-ˌlāt

as in to insert

to put among or between others between the recipes for hearty peasant dishes, the author intercalates fond reminiscences of her year in the French countryside

Synonyms & Similar Words

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Synonym Chooser

How does the verb intercalate contrast with its synonyms?

Some common synonyms of intercalate are insert, insinuate, interject, interpolate, interpose, and introduce. While all these words mean "to put between or among others," intercalate suggests an intrusive inserting of something in an existing series or sequence.

new chapters intercalated with the old

When might insert be a better fit than intercalate?

While the synonyms insert and intercalate are close in meaning, insert implies putting into a fixed or open space between or among.

inserted a clause in the contract

In what contexts can insinuate take the place of intercalate?

Although the words insinuate and intercalate have much in common, insinuate implies introducing gradually or by gentle pressure.

insinuated himself into the group

When would interject be a good substitute for intercalate?

The meanings of interject and intercalate largely overlap; however, interject implies an abrupt or forced introduction.

interjected a question

When can interpolate be used instead of intercalate?

The words interpolate and intercalate can be used in similar contexts, but interpolate applies to the inserting of something extraneous or spurious.

interpolated her own comments into the report

When is it sensible to use interpose instead of intercalate?

The words interpose and intercalate are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, interpose suggests inserting an obstruction or cause of delay.

interpose barriers to communication

When could introduce be used to replace intercalate?

While in some cases nearly identical to intercalate, introduce is a general term for bringing or placing a thing or person into a group or body already in existence.

introduced a new topic into the conversation

Example Sentences

Recent Examples of Synonyms for intercalate

Verb

For a mayor confronting rising rents, strained public transit, public safety concerns, and looming budget pressures, inserting himself into a volatile geopolitical dispute appears, at best, a distraction from the immediate work of governing.

— Francisco Marte, New York Daily News, 15 Jan. 2026
Some encouraged me to insert myself into the pages of reformist newspapers, where all literary debates in pre-internet Iran took place.

— Amir Ahmadi Arian, The Dial, 15 Jan. 2026

Definition of insert

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