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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Our end-to-end suite of applications and services enables business and public customers across 25 industries globally to operate profitably, adapt continuously, and make a difference. Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025 Losing even a small amount of extra weight can make a difference in lowering blood pressure. Alexandria Nyembwe, Health, 1 Sep. 2025 That means more children in school instead of walking for water, more families staying healthy, and more women able to build their future - all made possible by reliable clean water access, through the work of global content creators, donors, and everyday people looking to make a difference. Marni Rose McFall, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Sep. 2025 After finishing last in attendance in 1972, the Brewers hoped some improvements on the field and at County Stadium would make a difference. Chris Foran, jsonline.com, 30 Aug. 2025 See All Example Sentences for make a difference

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Make a difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20difference. Accessed 6 Sep. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on make a difference

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!