1. to make or become tight or tense

Examples

• The sailor tautened the rope before securing it to the dock.
• Her muscles tautened as she prepared to lift the heavy weight.
• The canvas tautened when we stretched it over the frame.
• His jaw tautened with anger at the unfair accusation.
• The wire will tauten automatically when you turn the adjustment knob.
• She felt her stomach tauten with nervousness before the presentation.