by itself
idiom
1
: without being directly controlled by a person : automatically
The computer shuts off by itself if you haven't used it for a while.
The sprinkler will turn on by itself.
2
: with nothing nearby : alone
The house stood by itself at the end of the street.
Examples of by itself in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Smoking by itself can also cause inflammation and induce free radicals that damage DNA.
—
Pranoti Mandrekar, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
But even luxury housing, by itself, will not cover the costs of a massive deck above the yards.
—Mitchell Moss, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
The White Lotus season 3 will air its finale tonight in a 90 minute episode that will be the longest of the series, and practically a movie by itself.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
That is hard enough by itself, without trying to do so while playing out of position.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by itself
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Pranoti Mandrekar, The Conversation, 7 Apr. 2025
But even luxury housing, by itself, will not cover the costs of a massive deck above the yards.
—Mitchell Moss, New York Daily News, 6 Apr. 2025
The White Lotus season 3 will air its finale tonight in a 90 minute episode that will be the longest of the series, and practically a movie by itself.
—Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 6 Apr. 2025
That is hard enough by itself, without trying to do so while playing out of position.
—Andy Naylor, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by itself
Cite this Entry
“By itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20itself. Accessed 15 Apr. 2025.
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