dearly-won

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "dearly-won" is correct and usable in written English.
It is typically used to describe something that has been obtained with great effort or sacrifice, often conveying a sense of value or importance. Example: "After years of hard work and dedication, her success was a dearly-won achievement that she cherished."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

60 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

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

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

Working-class Britain may not have produced its quota of Miltons and Jane Austens; but in Williams's view it had given birth to a culture that was at least as valuable: the dearly won institutions of the labour, union and cooperative movements.

The Guardian - Opinion

Their lives have been dearly won.

Huffington Post

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

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

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

We dearly want to win consistently in football.

The New York Times - Sports

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Consider replacing "dearly-won" with "hard-earned" or "well-deserved" if you want to focus on the effort or merit involved, respectively.

Common error

Avoid using "dearly-won" in contexts where the achievement was easy or effortless, as it implies a significant struggle or sacrifice. The phrase is not interchangeable with "easily obtained".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "dearly-won" functions as a compound adjective that modifies a noun, describing something that has been obtained through considerable effort, sacrifice, or struggle. Ludwig examples show it qualifying abstract concepts like 'independence' or 'rights', emphasizing their value.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

60%

Encyclopedias

20%

Science

20%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Academia

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "dearly-won" is a grammatically sound and relatively uncommon adjective phrase that describes something achieved through significant effort or sacrifice. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and usability in English writing. It's often found in news media and encyclopedia contexts. When using "dearly-won", remember that it carries a strong connotation of value and struggle, making it suitable for emphasizing the importance of an achievement. Alternatives include "hard-earned" or "well-deserved", depending on the desired nuance.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

hard-earned

Emphasizes the effort and labor involved in obtaining something.

well-deserved

Highlights the fairness and justification of receiving something.

hard-fought

Focuses on the struggle and opposition faced during the acquisition.

achieved with sacrifice

Explicitly mentions the sacrifices made to attain something.

gained at great cost

Stresses the significant price or loss incurred in the process.

won through adversity

Highlights the challenging circumstances overcome to achieve something.

triumphantly secured

Emphasizes the victorious and successful nature of the acquisition.

earnestly obtained

Highlights the serious and sincere effort made.

painstakingly acquired

Focuses on the meticulous and diligent effort involved.

laboriously gained

Stresses the extensive and arduous labor required.

FAQs

How can I use "dearly-won" in a sentence?

You can use "dearly-won" to describe something that was achieved through great effort or sacrifice. For example, "Their freedom was a dearly-won right after years of oppression".

What is the difference between "dearly-won" and "hard-earned"?

"Dearly-won" emphasizes the value and sacrifice involved in achieving something, while "hard-earned" focuses more on the effort and labor. Both can often be used interchangeably, but "dearly-won" carries a stronger emotional weight.

What can I say instead of "dearly-won"?

Alternatives to "dearly-won" include "hard-earned", "well-deserved", "hard-fought", or achieved with sacrifice, depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.

Is "dearly-won" grammatically correct?

Yes, "dearly-won" is a grammatically correct adjective phrase used to describe something obtained through significant effort or sacrifice. According to Ludwig AI, this phrase is correct and usable in written English.