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
Overall, the Tennessee River Valley was largely developed by one agency, with the aim to make a difference–the Tennessee Valley Authority.
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Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024
Others aren’t so sure the reclassification will make a difference.
—David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for make a difference 
Hilary Tetenbaum, USA TODAY, 13 May 2024
Others aren’t so sure the reclassification will make a difference.
—David A. Lieb, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for make a difference
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'make a difference.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near make a difference
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“Make a difference.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/make%20a%20difference. Accessed 29 May. 2024.
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