millstone
noun/ˈmɪlˌstoʊn/
Frequency rank: #18,233 most common English word
Meaning
a heavy burden that makes progress or success very difficult; also literally a large flat stone used to grind grain.

Example sentence
The debt he carried felt like millstone around his neck, dragging him down every day.
Synonyms & related words
Practice this word in the quiz
More words in ranks 18,201–18,300
- mahjongA tile-based game of Chinese origin, usually played by four players who draw and discard tiles to complete winning combinations.
- mammaryrelating to the breast or milk-producing glands.
- menopausalrelating to or characteristic of menopause, the time when menstruation permanently stops.
- microbea microorganism, especially one that causes disease.
- midlinean imaginary or real line that divides something into two equal halves down the center
- mimicryThe action of imitating someone or something, especially to blend in or deceive.
- mitreA type of joint or angle cut made at 45 degrees, often used in woodworking and picture framing; also the tall ceremonial headdress worn by bishops.
- moonlitlit or illuminated by the light of the moon.
- morphschanges shape or form gradually into something different.
- moteA tiny particle, especially of dust.