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
Nate Jones, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Along with director Edward Berger, Peter Straughan’s taut adaptation approaches the material with intimacy or big bold brushstrokes as required, crafting juicy roles for one of the year’s most outstanding ensembles.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025
The ensuing book, a taut, enthralling hybrid of fact and fiction impossible to disentangle, situates itself firmly in the mess — in a host of contradictions and uncertainties.
—Emily Eakin, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Dramatically, the buildup to this state of unchecked dominion is more taut than the fallout, largely because Grabowsky’s fine, watchful performance contributes much of the tension as Rakel’s sheer powerlessness begins to dawn on her.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taut
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Adjective
The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent is a taut re-creation of a real event that took place during the Bosnian War, which has unfortunate parallels to our own trajectory.
—Nate Jones, Vulture, 27 Feb. 2025
Along with director Edward Berger, Peter Straughan’s taut adaptation approaches the material with intimacy or big bold brushstrokes as required, crafting juicy roles for one of the year’s most outstanding ensembles.
—Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Feb. 2025
The ensuing book, a taut, enthralling hybrid of fact and fiction impossible to disentangle, situates itself firmly in the mess — in a host of contradictions and uncertainties.
—Emily Eakin, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025
Dramatically, the buildup to this state of unchecked dominion is more taut than the fallout, largely because Grabowsky’s fine, watchful performance contributes much of the tension as Rakel’s sheer powerlessness begins to dawn on her.
—Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for taut
Articles Related to taut
Cite this Entry
“Taut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taut. Accessed 9 Mar. 2025.
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