true crime
noun
: a nonfiction genre of literature, film, podcasts, etc. that depicts and examines real crime cases
Fans of true crime will enjoy this collection of tales from the annals of American justice …—
Jennifer Moore
—usually used before another nounJennifer Moorea true crime podcast/documentary/novel
In each episode, legal and criminal justice experts give you the inside scoop on the most shocking true crime stories … to hit the news.—LeeAnn Huntoon
LeeAnn HuntoonAs true crime podcasts, TV shows, books and online content continue to prove popular, cases never truly fade from the spotlight.—Bethany Bruner
Bethany BrunerExamples of true crime in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The mystery of her disappearance has drawn attention from true crime enthusiasts for years.
—
Michael Loria,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Dozens of media outlets, from international agencies to local TV stations to true crime podcasters, were inside the Lexington County courthouse to again chronicle every forehead rub and quizzical look from the once rich and imposing Southern lawyer.
—
Jeffrey Collins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Tatiana’s and Poddar’s fateful romance was the subject of a 1986 true crime nonfiction work by author Deborah Blum, who was also a student at UC Berkeley in 1969.
—
M. Sara Rosenthal,
STAT,
25 June 2026
Netflix's new true crime documentary is missing several details about the devastating murder of Reagan Simmons-Hancock.
—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 June 2026
Mackenzie Shirilla, the subject of Netflix’s true crime documentary The Crash, has been denied an appeal in her murder conviction.
—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
24 June 2026
And a YouGov poll shows that 61% of women watch true crime compared to their male counterparts at 52%.
—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
18 June 2026
One of the world’s most notorious art heists is getting a true crime documentary from Studiocanal.
—
K.j. Yossman,
Variety,
17 June 2026
The ubiquitous British YouTuber runs a creator version of a cable conglomerate, helming channels about true crime, space, war and human achievements, among others.
—
Andrew Zucker,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2026
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Michael Loria,
USA Today,
30 June 2026
Dozens of media outlets, from international agencies to local TV stations to true crime podcasters, were inside the Lexington County courthouse to again chronicle every forehead rub and quizzical look from the once rich and imposing Southern lawyer.
—
Jeffrey Collins,
Chicago Tribune,
29 June 2026
Tatiana’s and Poddar’s fateful romance was the subject of a 1986 true crime nonfiction work by author Deborah Blum, who was also a student at UC Berkeley in 1969.
—
M. Sara Rosenthal,
STAT,
25 June 2026
Netflix's new true crime documentary is missing several details about the devastating murder of Reagan Simmons-Hancock.
—
Mekishana Pierre,
Entertainment Weekly,
24 June 2026
Mackenzie Shirilla, the subject of Netflix’s true crime documentary The Crash, has been denied an appeal in her murder conviction.
—
Bethy Squires,
Vulture,
24 June 2026
And a YouGov poll shows that 61% of women watch true crime compared to their male counterparts at 52%.
—
Savannah Walsh,
Vanity Fair,
18 June 2026
One of the world’s most notorious art heists is getting a true crime documentary from Studiocanal.
—
K.j. Yossman,
Variety,
17 June 2026
The ubiquitous British YouTuber runs a creator version of a cable conglomerate, helming channels about true crime, space, war and human achievements, among others.
—
Andrew Zucker,
HollywoodReporter,
13 June 2026
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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