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
Two years later, David Mitchell came along — and started to make a difference, which is why he will be missed.
—
Ed Silverman, STAT, 5 Jan. 2026
Why many are choosing a January reset Health experts said even temporary changes can make a difference.
—Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Run with a desire to make a difference, though today isn’t the day to initiate new actions.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
Liquidity can also make a difference Liquidity can matter, too.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for make a difference
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Ed Silverman, STAT, 5 Jan. 2026
Why many are choosing a January reset Health experts said even temporary changes can make a difference.
—Lauren Pastrana, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026
Run with a desire to make a difference, though today isn’t the day to initiate new actions.
—Tribune Content Agency, Baltimore Sun, 4 Jan. 2026
Liquidity can also make a difference Liquidity can matter, too.
—Sarah Agostino, CNBC, 2 Jan. 2026
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 13 Jan. 2026.
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