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

But Sandoval has adapted to his new responsibilities and has even managed to make a difference on both offense and defense. — Bobby Narang, Chicago Tribune, 2 Oct. 2026

Babcock needs to make a difference, and Bowman has work to do. — Allan Mitchell, New York Times, 1 Oct. 2026

Some countries did have strategic reserves, but a massive coordinated release from those supplies didn’t make a difference for long – and those reserves may need to be replenished, paradoxically increasing demand for oil in the future. — The Conversation, 29 Sep. 2026

Taxes and fuel surcharges also make a difference in diesel prices. — Vidya Mani, Fortune, 28 Sep. 2026

Rhymes for make a difference

• indifference