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
Employers who care about the well-being—and long-term productivity—of their teams can make a difference by:
Offering true flextime and autonomy: Focus on outcomes, not just hours worked or physical presence.
—
Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
With many people struggling with loneliness, depression, sadness, or other emotional challenges, something as simple as a phone call, can really make a difference.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 7 June 2025
Desiring structural change and not band-aid solutions, Brown took the opportunity to make a difference when a legal regulatory sandbox was announced, allowing innovators to explore new models for delivering legal services.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 6 June 2025
All of these gadgets can help make a difference in his well-being.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 4 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for make a difference
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.
Caroline Castrillon, Forbes.com, 8 June 2025
With many people struggling with loneliness, depression, sadness, or other emotional challenges, something as simple as a phone call, can really make a difference.
—Tereza Shkurtaj, People.com, 7 June 2025
Desiring structural change and not band-aid solutions, Brown took the opportunity to make a difference when a legal regulatory sandbox was announced, allowing innovators to explore new models for delivering legal services.
—Daniel Fusch, USA Today, 6 June 2025
All of these gadgets can help make a difference in his well-being.
—Nora Colomer
May Earn A Commission If You Buy Through Our Referral Links. This Content Was Created By A Team That Works Independently From The Fox Newsroom., FOXNews.com, 4 June 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 12 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share