1
a
: having no give or slack : tightly drawn
a taut rope
b
: high-strung, tense
taut nerves
2
a
: kept in proper order or condition
a taut ship
b(1)
: not loose or flabby
taut skin
(2)
: marked by economy of structure and detail
a taut story
tautly
adverb
tautness
noun
Synonyms
Examples of taut in a Sentence
Adjective
The rope was drawn taut.
The book is a taut thriller.
Recent Examples on the Web
Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2024
The taut single layer of Dyneema and aerodynamic dome design created a still and silent oasis.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 8 Aug. 2024
The left temple was a taut purple pouch that sagged over and almost closed the left eye.
—Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2024
But to ignore Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne's performances is to miss out on some of the most taut energy ever caught on screen, in roles that earned them both Oscar nominations.
—and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for taut 
Adjective
Few moments are more taut with emotion or more fraught with danger than the medal ceremonies at the Olympic Games.
—Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 8 Aug. 2024
The taut single layer of Dyneema and aerodynamic dome design created a still and silent oasis.
—Ashley Thess, Outdoor Life, 8 Aug. 2024
The left temple was a taut purple pouch that sagged over and almost closed the left eye.
—Caleb Crain, The New Yorker, 4 Aug. 2024
But to ignore Angela Bassett and Laurence Fishburne's performances is to miss out on some of the most taut energy ever caught on screen, in roles that earned them both Oscar nominations.
—and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 30 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for taut
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'taut.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Taut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taut. Accessed 11 Sep. 2024.
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