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
Getting to conviction though is a whole other feat by itself.
—
Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Tooth decay by itself can be painful and costly to treat but left untreated can cause further problems, including infections and abscesses or even sepsis, according to the World Health Organization.
—Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 2 June 2025
But that type of medication by itself isn’t strong enough to keep someone out of the emergency room if the asthma attack is severe, Dr. David Bernstein, an immunologist who is a professor in the division of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at the University of Cincinnati, said.
—Jason Kane, NBC news, 2 June 2025
In other cases, the smartwatch can make calls and connect to the internet by itself rather than depending on a secondary device.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for by itself
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Elizabeth Wagmeister, CNN Money, 5 June 2025
Tooth decay by itself can be painful and costly to treat but left untreated can cause further problems, including infections and abscesses or even sepsis, according to the World Health Organization.
—Sara Moniuszko, CBS News, 2 June 2025
But that type of medication by itself isn’t strong enough to keep someone out of the emergency room if the asthma attack is severe, Dr. David Bernstein, an immunologist who is a professor in the division of immunology, allergy and rheumatology at the University of Cincinnati, said.
—Jason Kane, NBC news, 2 June 2025
In other cases, the smartwatch can make calls and connect to the internet by itself rather than depending on a secondary device.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 2 June 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 13 Jun. 2025.
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