Hard-won (adjective)

Gained with great effort or difficulty.

Origin:

Compound word, combining "hard" and "wo.n"

Examples:

1. It was a hard-won victory, but we were finally able to defeat our opponents.
2. She had a hard-won reputation as a fierce competitor.
3. He had a hard-won knowledge of the industry, having worked his way up from the bottom.
4. Their hard-won success was the result of years of dedication and hard work.
5. The hard-won peace treaty was finally signed after months of negotiations.