Taut, anxious (5)
I believe the answer is:
tense
This clue is a double definition.
'taut' is the first definition.
(similar in meaning)
'anxious' is the second definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
(Other definitions for tense that I've seen before include "past, say" , "under stress?" , "On edge" , "edgy" , "present, perhaps?" .)