millstone

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“She’s reduced the price. She can’t shift this property and it’s become a bit of a millstone around her neck.”

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 30, 2026

But climates shift, and while “invented heritage” can act as a powerful anchor, it can also be a millstone, an obstacle to necessary, large-scale changes.

From Salon • Jan. 3, 2026

“As the only sector to record a negative return in Q3, staples was the proverbial millstone around quality’s neck.”

From Barron's • Oct. 27, 2025

"It was like a millstone around my neck," said Jayne.

From BBC • Mar. 9, 2025

The villagers agreed, and so the miller who had listened to the Devil did not have his hands chopped off, but only stood one day in the rain with his millstone tied about his neck.

From "The Midwife's Apprentice" by Karen Cushman