make a difference

phrase

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

In high-demand districts, lawmakers wondered whether their scholarships even make a difference. — Jay A. Perman, Baltimore Sun, 18 July 2026

There are players still out there on the waiver wire who can make a difference during a push for a championship. — Mike Barner, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026

Gulping down a collagen pill sounds like an easy fix, but most pills just can’t fit enough peptides to make a difference. — Maggie Ryan, Flow Space, 16 July 2026

The type of residence in which people sleep can also make a difference. — Justin Klawans, TheWeek, 14 July 2026

Rhymes for make a difference

• indifference