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

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Even a moderate amount of weight loss can make a difference. Wendy Wisner, Health, 20 June 2025 For others, an improved customer service experience could make a difference. Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 19 June 2025 But by Jenkins’ thinking, moves around the margins won’t make a difference in getting big-budget studio movies to shoot in California. Katie Kilkenny, HollywoodReporter, 18 June 2025 Spriggs is hopeful the regulations can make a difference. Mary Ramsey, Charlotte Observer, 12 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for make a difference

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Cite this Entry

“Make a difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20difference. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

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