by itself

phrase

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

Still, the dominant message from the hearing was that Maduro’s removal has not, by itself, dismantled the authoritarian system that sustained his rule. — Antonio María Delgado, Miami Herald, 15 July 2026

International Business Machines by itself is poised to slice 425 points off the Dow Jones Industrial Average in early trading Tuesday. — Sean Conlon,joseph Wilkins,lee Ying Shan,fred Imbert, CNBC, 13 July 2026

The largest sporting event in the world does not happen by itself. — Eric Nager, Christian Science Monitor, 13 July 2026

The mistake was assuming the brand could carry too much of the business by itself. — Jim Osman, Forbes.com, 11 July 2026

Rhymes for by itself

• ourself
• bookshelf
• herself
• himself
• hisself
• meself
• myself
• nonself
• oneself
• thyself
• yourself
• elf