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
One thing there does seem to be an appetite for is true crime, but a lot of the stories are about women being murdered or raped, and true crime is not providing context or analysis to questions like, why does domestic violence happen?
—HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Keefe, a New Yorker staff writer, is a master at using true crime as a vehicle for exploring social and political pathologies.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
In February, the now 42-year-old West Aurora High School alum released a podcast about this unsolved case that has garnered more than 30,000 downloads, and that both Podcast Review and the BBC have listed as one of the top true crime podcasts so far for 2026.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Of paramount importance to her was to write the book with integrity, not as a product for vulturine true crime fans to feast on.
—Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Its events range from a Central Florida spin on a famous shipwreck to a true crime of the 1990s.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The Cape Fear series adaptation—from writer and executive producer Nick Antosca— is billed as a tense, Hitchcockian psychological thriller and an examination of America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Its library of vertical content focuses especially on the true crime genre.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Another victim has come forward with a tell-all memoir about his abuse, and the true crime-hungry are enthralled.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
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HollywoodReporter, 7 Apr. 2026
Keefe, a New Yorker staff writer, is a master at using true crime as a vehicle for exploring social and political pathologies.
—Frank Langfitt, NPR, 4 Apr. 2026
In February, the now 42-year-old West Aurora High School alum released a podcast about this unsolved case that has garnered more than 30,000 downloads, and that both Podcast Review and the BBC have listed as one of the top true crime podcasts so far for 2026.
—Denise Crosby, Chicago Tribune, 3 Apr. 2026
Of paramount importance to her was to write the book with integrity, not as a product for vulturine true crime fans to feast on.
—Annie Vainshtein, San Francisco Chronicle, 3 Apr. 2026
Its events range from a Central Florida spin on a famous shipwreck to a true crime of the 1990s.
—Dewayne Bevil, The Orlando Sentinel, 2 Apr. 2026
The Cape Fear series adaptation—from writer and executive producer Nick Antosca— is billed as a tense, Hitchcockian psychological thriller and an examination of America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 31 Mar. 2026
Its library of vertical content focuses especially on the true crime genre.
—Selome Hailu, Variety, 31 Mar. 2026
Another victim has come forward with a tell-all memoir about his abuse, and the true crime-hungry are enthralled.
—Clare Mulroy, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2026
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 9 Apr. 2026.
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