How to Use by itself in a Sentence

by itself

idiom
Definition of by itselfnext
  • In a subluxation, though, the shoulder is more is more likely to pop back into place by itself.
    — Bruce Y. Lee, Forbes, 27 Oct. 2024
  • However, the sartorial shoutout to the pop star was not what elevated this look—at least, not by itself.
    — Emily Tannenbaum, Glamour, 26 Oct. 2024
  • It can be served by itself or on top of a bed of noodles.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 24 July 2023
  • Yet hate, by itself, would not have caused the Holocaust.
    — The Editors, National Review, 9 May 2024
  • But by itself, this is not evidence of the success of the ACA.
    — Daniel Cruz, National Review, 23 Sep. 2023
  • Is soy lecithin good for you? Soy, by itself, is high in protein and fiber, and low in fat.
    — Caroline C. Boyle, USA TODAY, 13 Sep. 2024
  • Or, just eat it by itself—a spoonful is a tasty way to soothe a sore throat, cough, or cold.
    — Mélanie Defouilloy, Vogue, 26 June 2024
  • This classic recipe works as a dip, spread, or all by itself.
    — Southern Living Test Kitchen, Southern Living, 8 Apr. 2024
  • Testers praised the fresh, balanced flavor that was great with chips, on a wrap, or by itself.
    — Good Housekeeping, 20 June 2023
  • Dulce de leche by itself is too sweet for me—in an alfajor, the cake balances the dulce de leche.
    — Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 21 Mar. 2024
  • The Willow Project by itself does not nullify all the good Biden has done for the planet.
    — Liza Featherstone, The New Republic, 5 May 2023
  • The Willow Project by itself does not nullify all the good Biden has done for the planet.
    — Liza Featherstone, The New Republic, 5 May 2023
  • Our tester didn’t love the removable vest when worn by itself.
    — Dorian Smith-Garcia, Parents, 23 Feb. 2024
  • The idea that Haliburton's 3-point shot has him at the top of the franchise record books carries some irony in it by itself.
    — Dustin Dopirak, The Indianapolis Star, 24 Dec. 2022
  • The Dodgers are a reliable draw for a team that by itself is not a reliable draw.
    — Bill Shaikin, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2023
  • But a small grassroots group can only buy so much land by itself.
    — Eli Wizevich, Smithsonian Magazine, 25 July 2024
  • This, by itself, isn't normally enough to raise the alert status.
    — Erik Klemetti, Discover Magazine, 23 Oct. 2024
  • But Trump’s rivals dropping out of the 2024 contest — by itself — likely won’t do the trick.
    — Mark Murray, NBC News, 31 Oct. 2023
  • Red Mulch Red mulch adds a vibrant touch by itself or in concert with the color of structures and plants.
    — Luke Miller, Better Homes & Gardens, 3 Sep. 2024
  • The mayor added that the city has a lot to do yet in mitigating climate change and can’t do it all by itself.
    — Judith Prieve, The Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2024
  • The vest can be worn over a long-sleeve shirt or by itself and would look extra cute with palazzo pants and flats, or jeans and sneakers.
    — Gabriella Maestri, Travel + Leisure, 19 Oct. 2024
  • The fossilized skin was found by itself, unattached to bone.
    — Kate Golembiewski, New York Times, 11 Jan. 2024
  • So Sierra Space isn't by itself in the spaceplane arena.
    — Stephen Clark, Ars Technica, 1 Nov. 2023
  • Canada, the ninth round on June 9, is, like Australia, by itself amid a string of European events.
    — Phillip Horton, New York Times, 15 Sep. 2023
  • One of the more powerful insights from the last 20 years in the fitness field is that by itself, exercise is a lousy way to lose fat.
    — Andrew Heffernan, Men's Health, 13 May 2023
  • Amazon by itself is responsible for 40% of all print books and 80% of all e-books sold in the United States.
    — John Warner, Chicago Tribune, 9 Sep. 2023
  • And by itself, a deal with Riyadh risks doing the exact opposite.
    — Maria Fantappie and Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2023
  • And how does Silcott know so much about a drone that flies and kills by itself with no human controlling it?
    — Sara Netzley, EW.com, 1 Apr. 2024
  • Across these 10 episodes, Picard showrunner Terry Matalas did a lot to make up for that, and that by itself was worth it.
    — Alan Sepinwall, Rolling Stone, 20 Apr. 2023
  • Her tense final scene with Bob Odenkirk is worthy of reward all by itself.
    — Glenn Whipp, Los Angeles Times, 10 July 2023

Some of these examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'by itself.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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