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
Caterpillar, maker of enormous machines including the generators needed for AI data centers, has kicked in 985 points to the Dow by itself.
—
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Throw a jacket over it for a warm, flight-ready ensemble, or wear it by itself at sunny destinations.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
But for mental health workers like Marcucci-Morris, AI by itself is not enough.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Most people don’t enjoy the taste of chaga tea by itself.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
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Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 Feb. 2026
Throw a jacket over it for a warm, flight-ready ensemble, or wear it by itself at sunny destinations.
—Olivia Young, Travel + Leisure, 9 Feb. 2026
But for mental health workers like Marcucci-Morris, AI by itself is not enough.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 6 Feb. 2026
Most people don’t enjoy the taste of chaga tea by itself.
—Bestreviews, Mercury News, 5 Feb. 2026
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 15 Feb. 2026.
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