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
Also, après ski is an event by itself in the spring.
—
Roger Sands, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
And bringing in the largest new state in the country's history by itself would run against any notion of balancing.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
Democrats should do nothing to oppose Trump, James Carville writes: His administration will crash and burn by itself.
—Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Moore’s decision to add a confession to the case file nine months after the fact could, by itself, have severely damaged an already difficult case, Baker said.
—Donna McGuire, Cummings,
and Glenn E. Rice, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by itself
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Roger Sands, Forbes, 3 Mar. 2025
And bringing in the largest new state in the country's history by itself would run against any notion of balancing.
—Geoffrey Skelley, ABC News, 26 Feb. 2025
Democrats should do nothing to oppose Trump, James Carville writes: His administration will crash and burn by itself.
—Benjamin Mueller, New York Times, 25 Feb. 2025
Moore’s decision to add a confession to the case file nine months after the fact could, by itself, have severely damaged an already difficult case, Baker said.
—Donna McGuire, Cummings,
and Glenn E. Rice, Kansas City Star, 25 Feb. 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 6 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share