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
and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 30 July 2024
Though a standard mounting of this work usually sees a cast anywhere from 15 or 20, Chance daringly strips deeper to the bone, a taut ensemble of nine carried by directorial surety and sufficient theatrical talent at work powering Christopher Bond’s 2-hour, 45-minute adaptation.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 23 July 2024
Hold the device at a 45-degree angle to the face and apply short feathery strokes while keeping the skin taut.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 2 July 2024
Silence and complicity are essential, and the family dynamic becomes a taut cat’s cradle of tension.
—Roxana Robinson, TIME, 18 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for taut 
Adjective
The beloved 1974 John le Carré novel about spy George Smiley and his pursuit of a Soviet double agent in British Intelligence, has been praised by readers — and, reportedly, spies themselves — for its vivid characters, realism, and taut story.
—and Kevin Jacobsen, EW.com, 30 July 2024
Though a standard mounting of this work usually sees a cast anywhere from 15 or 20, Chance daringly strips deeper to the bone, a taut ensemble of nine carried by directorial surety and sufficient theatrical talent at work powering Christopher Bond’s 2-hour, 45-minute adaptation.
—Christopher Smith, Orange County Register, 23 July 2024
Hold the device at a 45-degree angle to the face and apply short feathery strokes while keeping the skin taut.
—Kiana Murden, Vogue, 2 July 2024
Silence and complicity are essential, and the family dynamic becomes a taut cat’s cradle of tension.
—Roxana Robinson, TIME, 18 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 18 Aug. 2024.
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