hard-won

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈwən 

: gained by great effort

a hard-won victory

Examples of hard-won in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At the same time, talent should not alienate those hard-won, recently amassed YA followings. — Mia Galuppo, HollywoodReporter, 13 Nov. 2026

But this safety was hard-won, achieved only as a result of unfailing vigilance, as everyone was continually reminded. — Rachel Heng, New Yorker, 4 Oct. 2026

Getting there meant the rapid dismantling of some of her hard-won skills. — Brian Hiatt, Rolling Stone, 14 Aug. 2026

Tate captures the tension between opportunity and limitation, reminding readers that equality is often pursued in spaces where recognition is hard-won. — Literary Hub, 26 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1586, in the meaning defined above