Per se is a Latin expression which means "in itself" or "by itself." It is used to indicate that something is considered solely on its own merits and without reference to any other factors. There are a number of synonyms that can be used in place of per se, depending on the context. These include "by definition," "inherently," "intrinsically," "necessarily," and "on its own." Other synonyms include "as such," "essentially," "fundamentally," "in and of itself," "individually," "primarily," and "purely." While each of these words has slightly different connotations, they all convey the same essential meaning of considering something in isolation from other factors.