How to Use by itself in a Sentence

by itself

idiom
  • It can be served by itself or on top of a bed of noodles.
    — Mary Shannon Wells, Southern Living, 24 July 2023
  • Here’s the thing: At first sip, a lot of people don’t like the taste of kava by itself.
    — Jenna Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025
  • Yet hate, by itself, would not have caused the Holocaust.
    — The Editors, National Review, 9 May 2024
  • The city of Chicago by itself has more than 100 Walgreens stores, by far the most of any U.S. city.
    — The Editorial Board, Chicago Tribune, 7 Mar. 2025
  • 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
  • Clocking in at 6,250 square feet, the first floor is all by itself much larger than most people’s homes.
    — Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 27 Nov. 2024
  • Wear the perfect vest dress by itself in those seasons, or throw on some tights and a pea coat to make the dress a new winter favorite.
    — Michelle Mastro, Southern Living, 30 Nov. 2024
  • The common thread here is that data by itself is not the solution.
    — Richard Jones, Forbes, 21 Nov. 2024
  • 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
  • Other times, the film feels too coy, as if embarrassed by itself.
    — Gregory Nussen, Deadline, 8 Mar. 2025
  • 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
  • When Jason seems confused by the fact that the Jet Ski tipped by itself, Wihan clarifies that there was a leak in it.
    — Rafaela Bassili, Vulture, 10 Mar. 2025
  • But the talk about recession by itself could sap confidence.
    — Stan Choe, Los Angeles Times, 17 Mar. 2025

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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