tautness
Lack of slack
Tautness is the quality of being stretched tight, without slack: the tautness of a guitar string, the tautness of a sail in strong wind.
The word extends to muscle tension, emotional strain, or writing style—anything pulled tight rather than loose or relaxed: The tautness of the prose kept readers engaged.
Firmly stretched or fitting
- stretchedPulled to lengthen
- tensionStretched or strained state
- firmnessResistance to deformation
- snugnessComfortable tightness or warmth
constriction · drawn · pulled · cinched · compression · elasticity · sleekness · trimness
Stretched or strained state
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
- pressureForce upon contact
unease · apprehension · edginess · suspense · anticipation · alertness · vigilance · wariness
Pressure, mental or vocal
- pressureForce upon contact
- overexertionHarmful excess of effort
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
- overloadBurden beyond capacity
burden · wear · rupture · sprain · pull · damage · breakage · fracture
Briefly and clearly stated
- spareHeld in reserve
- leanLacking fat; incline
- crispFirm and breakable
- economicalUsing resources sparingly
disciplined · controlled · precise · tight · streamlined · pared-down · efficient · compressed
tight
Firmly stretched or fitting
snugness · constriction · drawn · pulled · cinched · compression · elasticity · sleekness · trimness · compactness
tension
Stretched or strained state
- stressPressure, mental or vocal
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
- nervousnessState of anxious unease
pressure · unease · apprehension · edginess · suspense · anticipation · alertness · vigilance · wariness · readiness
stress
Pressure, mental or vocal
- pressureForce upon contact
- overexertionHarmful excess of effort
- fatigueWeariness from prolonged exertion
overload · burden · wear · rupture · sprain · pull · damage · breakage · fracture · deformation
concise
Briefly and clearly stated
economical · disciplined · controlled · precise · tight · streamlined · pared-down · efficient · compressed · succinct
- tensiontightness, strain, stiffness, rigidity, pull
- tighteningtensing, clamping, cinching, tensioning, grip
- string instrumentsukulele, mandolin, bass guitar, acoustic guitar, classical guitar
- thriller elementstwists, suspense, tension, anticipation, cliffhanger