taut

1 of 1adjective

/tɔt/

Forms:tauter,tautest

1

stretched firmly without slack

The rope was taut, ready to bear the weight of the climber.
She adjusted the canvas until it was perfectly taut across the frame.
His fishing line went taut as something tugged beneath the surface.
The sail snapped taut in the wind, propelling the boat forward.
He kept the leash taut, trying to control the excited dog.

Synonyms:

2

(especially of nerves or muscles) under strain

Her face was taut with anxiety as she waited for the results.
His taut expression revealed the pressure he was under.
She held her breath, shoulders taut, bracing for impact.
His nerves were taut, stretched to the breaking point.

3

(of writing, music, etc.) sharply focused and with no unnecessary elements

The film's taut pacing kept the audience on edge.
Her novel was praised for its taut prose and emotional clarity.
The speech was taut, powerful, and free of fluff.
He composed a taut score that heightened every scene's tension.
The director's taut storytelling left no room for distraction.