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
Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2025
Their leading scorer sidelined by an ankle injury, their offense having gone cold, their defense reeling, their ability to make free throws having failed them, the Bruins pulled out a taut 82-76 victory over USC thanks to some heroics from Sebastian Mack.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025
Indelible characters, taut prose, deft pacing, and resonant questions about bearing witness make this a winner.
—Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Dec. 2024
Doing so causes an attached strap to pull the seat taut between them, ready to receive your butt.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for taut 
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Adjective
Two years later, the production version was unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, looking almost identical to the initial vision — its taut, clean lines and aggressive proportions still every bit worthy of a concept car dream.
—Will Sabel Courtney, Robb Report, 30 Jan. 2025
Their leading scorer sidelined by an ankle injury, their offense having gone cold, their defense reeling, their ability to make free throws having failed them, the Bruins pulled out a taut 82-76 victory over USC thanks to some heroics from Sebastian Mack.
—Houston Mitchell, Los Angeles Times, 28 Jan. 2025
Indelible characters, taut prose, deft pacing, and resonant questions about bearing witness make this a winner.
—Staff, The Christian Science Monitor, 18 Dec. 2024
Doing so causes an attached strap to pull the seat taut between them, ready to receive your butt.
—Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 20 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for taut
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Dictionary Entries Near taut
Cite this Entry
“Taut.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taut. Accessed 13 Feb. 2025.
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