hard-earned
UK: ˌhɑːd ˈɜːnd | US: ˌhɑːrd ˈɜːrnd
adj. gained or achieved through great effort or difficulty
The compound "hard-earned" combines "hard," from Old English "heard" (meaning solid, severe, or strenuous), and "earned," the past participle of "earn," derived from Old English "earnian" (to deserve or gain through labor). The fusion reflects the literal idea of rewards acquired through persistent effort, emphasizing the struggle behind the achievement. The suffix "-ed" marks it as a participial adjective, solidifying its role in describing outcomes of laborious processes.
She spent her hard-earned money on a well-deserved vacation.
The team celebrated their hard-earned victory after months of training.
He respected every penny of his hard-earned salary.
Hard-earned skills often prove more valuable than innate talent.
The documentary highlighted the hard-earned success of small business owners.