hard-won

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈwən

: gained by great effort

a hard-won victory

Examples of hard-won in a Sentence

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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

All of it was hard-won, and a sharp turn from her sunny start. — Andrea Mandell, PEOPLE, 7 May 2026 Healing is slow, and every small moment of peace feels hard-won. — Brandi Hicken, Time, 12 Dec. 2025 Hollingworth’s arrival at this joyful point was hard-won. — Aimee Cliff, Pitchfork, 16 Jan. 2026 The progress earned by ethnic minorities and women in the armed services was hard-won. — Adam Serwer, The Atlantic, 8 Apr. 2026 See All Example Sentences for hard-won

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of hard-won was in 1586

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Style

“Hard-won.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-won. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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hard-won

adjective

Examples of hard-won in a Sentence

Word History

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