The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
hard-fought \hard"-fought`\ (-f[add]t`), a. Vigorously contested by both opponents; -- of contests; as, a hard-fought battle; a hard-fought primary election. [1913 Webster +PJC]WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
hard-fought adj 1: requiring great effort; "a hard-fought primary"