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
Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The taut and well-crafted play imagines King’s final evening, where he’s exhausted by the relentless pace of his activist work, questioning his mission, hounded by the press, suspicious of government surveillance and afraid for his life.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2025
The score is propulsive and taut, the singing strong, and Elkanah Pulitzer’s production flips back and forth between Alexandria and Rome with action-movie ease.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
One long, stiff leaf remains taut and intact, a narrow green mirror,
a canoe full of water where the sun king shines—hypocrite?
—Samantha Schnee, The New York Review of Books, 24 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taut
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Adjective
The palate is taut and focused, with crisp citrus, ripe pear, and hints of toasted brioche and crushed oyster shell.
—Paul Caputo, Forbes.com, 23 June 2025
The taut and well-crafted play imagines King’s final evening, where he’s exhausted by the relentless pace of his activist work, questioning his mission, hounded by the press, suspicious of government surveillance and afraid for his life.
—Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 2 June 2025
The score is propulsive and taut, the singing strong, and Elkanah Pulitzer’s production flips back and forth between Alexandria and Rome with action-movie ease.
—Justin Davidson, Vulture, 13 May 2025
One long, stiff leaf remains taut and intact, a narrow green mirror,
a canoe full of water where the sun king shines—hypocrite?
—Samantha Schnee, The New York Review of Books, 24 Apr. 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 8 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share