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
And Martinez told the Herald that training, by itself, cannot overcome a corrosive departmental culture, from the top down, that allows officers to treat people in behavioral crisis with contempt.
—
Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
When provided with a command, Operator uses its own browser to execute the task, handling all the typing, clicking, and scrolling by itself.
—Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025
Under the Constitution, however, the president has no direct role in approving amendments and his statement has no legal force by itself.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
The other Sphere bookings have been classic rock bands — U2, Dead & Company and Eagles — as well as Phish, the wildly eclectic (and awesome) group that really belongs in a category all by itself.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 2025
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Carol Marbin Miller, Miami Herald, 26 Jan. 2025
When provided with a command, Operator uses its own browser to execute the task, handling all the typing, clicking, and scrolling by itself.
—Jibin Joseph, PCMAG, 24 Jan. 2025
Under the Constitution, however, the president has no direct role in approving amendments and his statement has no legal force by itself.
—Peter Baker, New York Times, 17 Jan. 2025
The other Sphere bookings have been classic rock bands — U2, Dead & Company and Eagles — as well as Phish, the wildly eclectic (and awesome) group that really belongs in a category all by itself.
—Jim Harrington, The Mercury News, 16 Jan. 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 30 Jan. 2025.
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