millstone
noun
mill·stone ˈmil-ˌstōn 
1
: either of two circular stones used for grinding something (such as grain)
2
a
: something that grinds or crushes
b
: a heavy burden
Example Sentences
College loans can quickly become a millstone for students. The scandal has become a political millstone. The scandal has been a millstone around her neck.
Recent Examples on the Web Washington swing has been Hart’s touchstone, but never a millstone that kept him from mastering another approach. 
Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2022 Britons were taught—and many still believe—that slavery had never been a foundation of their country’s commercial prosperity but was a millstone that needed to be removed so capitalism could truly flourish. Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 10 Apr. 2021 The case brought by Talonya Adams remains a political millstone for Hobbs, who in 2015 was the state Senate Democratic leader and is now running for governor. Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2021 Yet those same high prices can be a political millstone. Xander Peters, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Dec. 2021 The overall student debt in the US has now built up to a staggering $1.57 trillion, acting as a financial millstone to an entire generation. Mike Swigunski, Forbes, 11 Nov. 2021 That deal proved a millstone that helped push Detroit off the rebuild cliff. BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2021 His American assets were suddenly a millstone around his neck. Casey Michel, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2021 McAuliffe, a former political fundraiser and Democratic National Committee chairman, has his own presidential millstone in Biden’s sinking approval ratings. Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2021 See More
Washington Post, 26 Mar. 2022 Britons were taught—and many still believe—that slavery had never been a foundation of their country’s commercial prosperity but was a millstone that needed to be removed so capitalism could truly flourish. Howard W. French, The New York Review of Books, 10 Apr. 2021 The case brought by Talonya Adams remains a political millstone for Hobbs, who in 2015 was the state Senate Democratic leader and is now running for governor. Kaely Monahan, The Arizona Republic, 16 Dec. 2021 Yet those same high prices can be a political millstone. Xander Peters, The Christian Science Monitor, 15 Dec. 2021 The overall student debt in the US has now built up to a staggering $1.57 trillion, acting as a financial millstone to an entire generation. Mike Swigunski, Forbes, 11 Nov. 2021 That deal proved a millstone that helped push Detroit off the rebuild cliff. BostonGlobe.com, 5 Nov. 2021 His American assets were suddenly a millstone around his neck. Casey Michel, Rolling Stone, 8 Oct. 2021 McAuliffe, a former political fundraiser and Democratic National Committee chairman, has his own presidential millstone in Biden’s sinking approval ratings. Washington Post, 23 Sep. 2021 See More Word History
First Known Use
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Kids Definition
millstone
noun
mill·stone ˈmil-ˌstōn
: either of two large circular stones used for grinding grain
millstone
noun
as in albatross
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- albatross
- stranglehold
- minus
- handicap
- disadvantage
- disability
- drawback
- debit
- downside
- impairment
- negative
- liability
- strike
- incommodity
- hindrance
- failing
- shortcoming
- impediment
- disbenefit
- obstruction
- trammel
- obstacle
- interference
- shackle
- let
- rub
- embarrassment
- hurdle
- clog
- hitch
- crimp
- catch
- manacle
- stop
- bar
- check
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- asset
- edge
- advantage
- margin
- plus
- lead
- drop
- upper hand
- control
- vantage
- start
- ascendancy
- jump
- head start
- privilege
- mastery
- command
- opportunity
- transcendence
- predominance
- supremacy
- aid
- prerogative
- superiority
- assistance
- ascendency
- break
- better
- help