taut

1 of 3

adjective

ˈtȯt

Synonyms of taut next

: having no give or slack : tightly drawn

a taut rope

: high-strung, tense

taut nerves

: 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

taut

2 of 3

verb

tauted; tauting; tauts

transitive verb

Scotland

: mat, tangle

taut-

3 of 3

combining form

variants or tauto-

: same

tautomerism

tautonym

Examples of taut in a Sentence

Adjective The rope was drawn taut. The book is a taut thriller.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The folding chair is designed with taut ripstop polyester that provides a firm, yet supportive seat to kick back and relax in. —

Kevin Brouillard, Travel + Leisure, 20 Sep. 2023 Shot in black-and-white and unfolding like both a docudrama and a taut, harrowing thriller, the film follows several different characters caught in the abject horror of the current-day refugee crisis at the border of Poland and Belarus. —

Rachel Handler, Vulture, 16 Sep. 2023 In Crawford’s taut performance, Bobby is torn between commitment to his family and to the townspeople, and increasingly at odds with both once Grace sides with her mother. —

Sheri Linden, The Hollywood Reporter, 11 Sep. 2023 Pull it taut with one hand and use the razor with the other. —

Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 2 Aug. 2023 But the taut interplay among the women in the ensemble creates genuinely distressing and moving moments. —

David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 Sep. 2023 The Passat's taut European suspension traverses North American potholes and expansion joints more comfortably this year, thanks to new Goodyear Eagle GA tires. —

Frank Markus, Car and Driver, 31 Aug. 2023 Next, with your free hand, hold your skin taut while the other moves the device downward in short, precise motions. —

Audrey Noble, Harper's BAZAAR, 21 Aug. 2023 Considered one of the quintessential definitions of a true thespian, Malkovich brings an alarming demeanor that slithers throughout the taut thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat. —

Clayton Davis, Variety, 6 Aug. 2023 See More

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.