Answer:

tauter

Answer	Crossword Clue
TAUTER	More tense
TAUTER	Not so slack
TAUTER	Creating more tension

TAUTER	Having less slack
TAUTER	More high-strung
TAUTER	Not as slack
TAUTER	More tense, as rope
TAUTER	Less slack
TAUTER	Less relaxed
TAUTER	Not as lax
TAUTER	More strained

TAUTER	Less loose
TAUTER	More tightly stretched
TAUTER	Overdrawn?
TAUTER	More tightly drawn
TAUTER	Less lax

Crossword

a puzzle consisting of a grid of squares and blanks into which words crossing vertically and horizontally are written according to clues.