: a type of crime film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by shadowy photography and foreboding background music
also
: a film of this type
Examples of film noir in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Similar to the album’s sound, the visuals emphasize film noir undertones and romantic motifs commonly found throughout old school R&B depictions.
—
Malik Peay, Essence, 11 July 2025
As in film noir, the film uses light and shade to reflect the internal landscape of the character, but there were other cinematic influences.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 June 2025
The headline was in reference to Steven Soderbergh’s semi-obscure historical thriller, The Good German, which dared to do the impossible by painstakingly recreating the black and white film noir aesthetic of the 1940s, a time when studios and contracted A-listers reigned supreme.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
The couple, who Walter thinks are straight out of film noir, bond with him over mutual love of cinema and classics from Hollywood’s golden age.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for film noir
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Malik Peay, Essence, 11 July 2025
As in film noir, the film uses light and shade to reflect the internal landscape of the character, but there were other cinematic influences.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 5 June 2025
The headline was in reference to Steven Soderbergh’s semi-obscure historical thriller, The Good German, which dared to do the impossible by painstakingly recreating the black and white film noir aesthetic of the 1940s, a time when studios and contracted A-listers reigned supreme.
—Josh Weiss, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025
The couple, who Walter thinks are straight out of film noir, bond with him over mutual love of cinema and classics from Hollywood’s golden age.
—Mary Ann Grossmann, Twin Cities, 22 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for film noir
Cite this Entry
“Film noir.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/film%20noir. Accessed 7 Aug. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share