taut
Comparative
tauter
Superlative
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.