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
November by itself was up over 5 percent, after the first 10 days of the month being down materially because of the election.
—
David Moin, WWD, 24 Dec. 2024
Intel said that this by itself could reduce performance by between 6 and 30 percent, depending on the software.
—Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
In a lengthy post on X, Ramaswamy said keeping the government open until March 14 — the new shutdown deadline under the stopgap measure — will cost $380 billion by itself.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024
In other words, displaying a nativity by itself: unconstitutional.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for by itself 
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David Moin, WWD, 24 Dec. 2024
Intel said that this by itself could reduce performance by between 6 and 30 percent, depending on the software.
—Ars Technica, 19 Dec. 2024
In a lengthy post on X, Ramaswamy said keeping the government open until March 14 — the new shutdown deadline under the stopgap measure — will cost $380 billion by itself.
—Miranda Nazzaro, The Hill, 18 Dec. 2024
In other words, displaying a nativity by itself: unconstitutional.
—Stephan Pechdimaldji, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024
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 30 Dec. 2024.
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