tautly
Stretched to tightness
Tautly is the adverb form of taut—stretched tight, not slack.
A rope pulled tautly has no give.
The word extends to tension of other kinds: a tautly written thriller wastes no words; muscles held tautly are clenched and ready.
She smiled tautly, barely concealing her irritation.
Pulled to lengthen
- pulledDrew with force
- tightenedMade more secure
- strainedUnder uncomfortable tension
- tensionedPulled tight deliberately
extended · drawn · rigid · stiff · firm · unyielding · inflexible · unbending
Kept within limits
- measuredCarefully considered, unhurried
- disciplinedHaving strict self-control
- exactPerfectly correct, no deviation
- restrainedHeld under control
spare · economical · crisp · sharp · clean · refined · meticulous · deliberate
Contracted a muscle
- clenchedContracted with force
- contractedReduced in size
- coiledArranged in spirals
- poisedCalm and controlled
braced · ready · spring-loaded · tensed · athletic · sinewy · wiry · lean
In strained manner
- anxiouslyIn a worried manner
- nervouslyIn an anxious manner
- apprehensivelyWith fearful expectation
- edgilyIn anxious manner
guardedly · warily · vigilantly · alertly · stiffly · rigidly · uneasily · restlessly
stretched
Pulled to lengthen
tensioned · extended · drawn · rigid · stiff · firm · unyielding · inflexible · unbending · inelastic
controlled
Kept within limits
- measuredCarefully considered, unhurried
- disciplinedHaving strict self-control
- exactPerfectly correct, no deviation
restrained · spare · economical · crisp · sharp · clean · refined · meticulous · deliberate · careful
flexed
Contracted a muscle
- clenchedContracted with force
- contractedReduced in size
- coiledArranged in spirals
poised · braced · ready · spring-loaded · tensed · athletic · sinewy · wiry · lean · lithe
tensely
In strained manner
- anxiouslyIn a worried manner
- nervouslyIn an anxious manner
- apprehensivelyWith fearful expectation
edgily · guardedly · warily · vigilantly · alertly · stiffly · rigidly · uneasily · restlessly · breathlessly