What is another word for dearly-won?
Pronunciation: [dˈi͡əliwˈʌn] (IPA) 
"Dearly-won" refers to something that has been achieved at great cost and effort. Synonyms for "dearly-won" include hard-fought, hard-earned, hard-won, costly, expensive, and valuable. These words all convey the same sense of hard work, determination and sacrifice. "Hard-fought" is often used to describe a victory in battle or sport, while "hard-earned" implies that the achievement required significant personal effort and perseverance. "Hard-won" suggests that the victory came after prolonged struggle, while "costly" and "expensive" suggest that the achievement required significant financial or material investment. "Valuable" implies that the thing achieved is important and precious. These synonyms are useful when describing a well-deserved triumph or success that was earned through a lot of effort and sacrifice.
