hard-won

adjective

ˈhärd-ˈwən How to pronounce hard-won (audio)
: gained by great effort

Examples of hard-won in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
The friendship is hard-won, over years of Yuval showing up and Basel welcoming him. — Gal Beckerman, The Atlantic, 28 Feb. 2025 Trust is often hard-won and takes time and effort to build. — Jake Webster, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2025

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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Cite this Entry

“Hard-won.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-won. Accessed 10 Mar. 2025.

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