make a difference
idiom
1
: to cause a change : to be important in some way
Cost can make a difference in deciding on a college.
Your help made a big difference.
It may not matter to you, but it makes a world of difference to me.
2
: to do something that is important : to do something that helps people or makes the world a better place
She says that she got into politics because she wanted to make a difference.
Examples of make a difference in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Donors want to know that their contributions make a difference in people's lives.
—
Bree Carriglio, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Don’t underestimate how air quality around the home can make a difference in your life.
—Ho Lin, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
An executive order doesn’t necessarily need to do anything on policy to make a difference.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 1 Mar. 2025
All of these changes make a difference for your deduction and may warrant itemizing, Lee said.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make a difference
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Bree Carriglio, Forbes, 4 Mar. 2025
Don’t underestimate how air quality around the home can make a difference in your life.
—Ho Lin, Miami Herald, 3 Mar. 2025
An executive order doesn’t necessarily need to do anything on policy to make a difference.
—Carolyn Komatsoulis, Idaho Statesman, 1 Mar. 2025
All of these changes make a difference for your deduction and may warrant itemizing, Lee said.
—Nicole Fallert, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for make a difference
Cite this Entry
“Make a difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20difference. Accessed 14 Mar. 2025.
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