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
His departure would not by itself be enough to topple the government.
—
Mick Krever, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
Get Hitched Watching a trailer - especially a large trailer like the Pebble Flow - roll around by itself sans towing partner is odd, but also oddly appropriate.
—William Roberson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The insurance industry won’t change by itself; the financial pressures on insurers from increasing losses and fierce market competition are too great.
—Jay Feinman, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025
Spags did a masterful job of scheming against Buffalo’s fourth-and-short plays no matter what anyone thinks of that review, but the Eagles’ tush-push is in a category by itself.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
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Mick Krever, CNN, 17 Jan. 2025
Get Hitched Watching a trailer - especially a large trailer like the Pebble Flow - roll around by itself sans towing partner is odd, but also oddly appropriate.
—William Roberson, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
The insurance industry won’t change by itself; the financial pressures on insurers from increasing losses and fierce market competition are too great.
—Jay Feinman, The Conversation, 6 Jan. 2025
Spags did a masterful job of scheming against Buffalo’s fourth-and-short plays no matter what anyone thinks of that review, but the Eagles’ tush-push is in a category by itself.
—Hank Gola, New York Daily News, 7 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for by itself
Dictionary Entries Near by itself
Cite this Entry
“By itself.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/by%20itself. Accessed 22 Feb. 2025.
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