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
Your doctor may do a digital rectal exam by itself or as part of a comprehensive physical exam.
—
Mark Gurarie, Health, 12 Sep. 2025
Spending guarantees nothing by itself, but if all teams were highly competent, using the time value of money with a rising cap would seem to create a competitive advantage.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
The only problem is that interrupting people’s work and putting them in a room together doesn’t do anything positive for your culture by itself.
—Joe Moglia, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
That, by itself, isn’t very fast.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for by itself
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Mark Gurarie, Health, 12 Sep. 2025
Spending guarantees nothing by itself, but if all teams were highly competent, using the time value of money with a rising cap would seem to create a competitive advantage.
—Mike Sando, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025
The only problem is that interrupting people’s work and putting them in a room together doesn’t do anything positive for your culture by itself.
—Joe Moglia, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025
That, by itself, isn’t very fast.
—Noah White, Miami Herald, 7 Sep. 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 17 Sep. 2025.
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