dearly won

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dearly won" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to describe something that has been obtained with great effort or sacrifice, often conveying a sense of value or importance. Example: "The championship title was dearly won after years of hard work and dedication from the entire team."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

This film does an important job in reminding us of this: a drama about human rights so recently and dearly won.

The Guardian - Film

Though the right to house Grant's Tomb in this city was dearly won, an informal office poll showed that not one in ten New Yorkers has actually visited it.

The New Yorker

It is crucial that however it comes out, Brexit should not be allowed to undermine the peace and prosperity that has been so dearly won here". Clinton urged the region's two main communities to put aside their differences to form a temporary executive to provide a unified voice on Brexit.

The Guardian

Their lives have been dearly won.

Huffington Post

But the Dutch, whatever resentment the Hollanders bore against the Orange dynasty, were unwilling either to court civil war or to abandon their dearly won independence in a union that would make them junior partners to the English.

Encyclopedia Britannica

For, without responsible men in every walk of life, those who find themselves at the helm of state could easily see their dearly won independence dissolve before their eyes.

Harvard Business Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

Dearly Precious won the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga.

The New Yorker

The New Yorker, September 1 , 1975P. 58 Dearly Precious won the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga.

The New Yorker

By G. F. T. Ryall The New Yorker, September 1 , 1975P. 58 Dearly Precious won the Spinaway Stakes at Saratoga.

The New Yorker

The SPD has paid dearly there, winning a meagre 12% of the vote in September.

The Economist

These cricket mavens apply the lore of centuries as well as a gambler's intuition to a search for insects that will dominate all rivals in battle, and along the way, many of the masters dearly hope, win their owners a bundle of cash from sideline betting.

The New York Times

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "dearly won" to emphasize the significance and value of something achieved through considerable effort or sacrifice. This phrase is particularly effective when highlighting the importance of preserving or appreciating such achievements.

Common error

Avoid using "dearly won" in contexts where the achievement was relatively easy or straightforward. The phrase carries a strong connotation of hardship and sacrifice, so using it inappropriately can diminish its impact and sound disingenuous.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dearly won" functions as an adjectival modifier, describing something that has been achieved through significant effort, sacrifice, or cost. As seen in Ludwig's examples, it often modifies abstract nouns like 'independence', 'peace', or 'rights'.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

News & Media

67%

Encyclopedias

17%

Academia

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Science

0%

Wiki

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "dearly won" is used to describe something achieved through great effort or sacrifice, emphasizing its value and the importance of preserving it. Ludwig AI indicates that it is grammatically correct and usable in written English. While not exceptionally common, primarily appearing in News & Media, Encyclopedia and Academia contexts, it adds weight and significance to the achievement being described. Consider alternatives like "hard-earned" or "hard-fought" to vary your writing. Avoid using it in trivial contexts to maintain its intended impact.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard-earned

Focuses on the effort and labor required to achieve something.

hard-fought

Emphasizes the struggle and opposition faced during the process.

painstakingly achieved

Highlights the meticulous and careful effort involved.

achieved at great cost

Directly points out the sacrifices made to attain something.

won with sacrifice

Highlights the sacrifices involved in obtaining something.

secured through hardship

Emphasizes the difficulties endured to gain something.

attained after struggle

Focuses on the effort put to achieve something

well-earned

Suggests deservingness in addition to the effort expended.

preciously gained

Highlights the value and importance of what was obtained.

triumphantly secured

Highlights a victory after a long effort.

FAQs

What does "dearly won" mean?

"Dearly won" signifies that something was achieved through great effort, sacrifice, or at a significant cost. It emphasizes the value and importance of the achievement due to the hardship endured to obtain it.

What can I say instead of "dearly won"?

You can use alternatives like "hard-earned", "hard-fought", or "painstakingly achieved" to convey a similar meaning.

Is "dearly won" formal or informal?

"Dearly won" can be used in both formal and informal contexts, but it is more commonly found in formal writing or speech where the speaker wants to emphasize the significance of the achievement.

How to use "dearly won" in a sentence?

Example: "The peace agreement was "hard-earned" after years of conflict, and it is crucial that it be protected." Here, "dearly won" emphasizes the difficulty and sacrifices made to achieve peace.