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
Examples of taut in a Sentence
Adjective
The rope was drawn taut.
The book is a taut thriller.
Recent Examples on the Web
Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
Our skin also appeared stronger and more taut, with less noticeable wrinkles.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 29 Dec. 2025
Pick a medium-sized sweet potato with smooth, taut, unblemished skin.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 25 Nov. 2025
One veteran who maintained momentum this year is Kathryn Bigelow, returning to features after an eight-year absence with A House of Dynamite, which showed no rustiness in its command of the taut, visceral suspense that had distinguished The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty and Detroit.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taut
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Adjective
The taut scenes provide the actors with a playing field to shine individually in heated arguments, sobering moments of empathy and painfully honest talks about what comes after a life-altering event.
—Carlos Aguilar, Variety, 30 Dec. 2025
Our skin also appeared stronger and more taut, with less noticeable wrinkles.
—Alanna Martine Kilkeary, Glamour, 29 Dec. 2025
Pick a medium-sized sweet potato with smooth, taut, unblemished skin.
—Sherri Gordon, Health, 25 Nov. 2025
One veteran who maintained momentum this year is Kathryn Bigelow, returning to features after an eight-year absence with A House of Dynamite, which showed no rustiness in its command of the taut, visceral suspense that had distinguished The Hurt Locker, Zero Dark Thirty and Detroit.
—David Rooney, HollywoodReporter, 20 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taut
Cite this Entry
“Taut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taut. Accessed 6 Jan. 2026.
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