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 third entry in Murphy and Brennan’s true crime anthology series—previous installments have centered on Jeffrey Dahmer and the Menendez brothers—stars Charlie Hunnam as Gein and Laurie Metcalf as his mother.
—Walden Green, Pitchfork, 17 Sep. 2025
When an amateur true crime investigator arrives with the intention of tracking down the town's serial killer, the unlikely pair strike a truce to avoid being caught – and might just find a love story in their own madness.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Already, Fox One has picked up a true crime show led by Nancy Grace that also fits the purview of Fox Nation, while Fox Nation has made a deal to show bull-riding matches, even though sports are the province of Fox One.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025
These days, Banfield primarily reports on true crime.
—Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The murder of Elizabeth Short, dubbed the Black Dahlia by the press, has long captured the interest of true crime buffs.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
A lot of true crime content is salacious and gory, full of reenactments and shock.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Riefenstahl deftly undertakes the type of media autopsy usually reserved for the most fiendish of true crime cover-ups.
—Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Netflix has become known for creating documentaries about unbelievable true crime stories, but Unknown Number on Netflix may just take the cake.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
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Walden Green, Pitchfork, 17 Sep. 2025
When an amateur true crime investigator arrives with the intention of tracking down the town's serial killer, the unlikely pair strike a truce to avoid being caught – and might just find a love story in their own madness.
—Madison E. Goldberg, PEOPLE, 15 Sep. 2025
Already, Fox One has picked up a true crime show led by Nancy Grace that also fits the purview of Fox Nation, while Fox Nation has made a deal to show bull-riding matches, even though sports are the province of Fox One.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 15 Sep. 2025
These days, Banfield primarily reports on true crime.
—Rachel Burchfield, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The murder of Elizabeth Short, dubbed the Black Dahlia by the press, has long captured the interest of true crime buffs.
—Maureen Lee Lenker, Entertainment Weekly, 10 Sep. 2025
A lot of true crime content is salacious and gory, full of reenactments and shock.
—Kansas City Star, 10 Sep. 2025
Riefenstahl deftly undertakes the type of media autopsy usually reserved for the most fiendish of true crime cover-ups.
—Daniel Jonah Wolpert, NPR, 8 Sep. 2025
Netflix has become known for creating documentaries about unbelievable true crime stories, but Unknown Number on Netflix may just take the cake.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 5 Sep. 2025
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 21 Sep. 2025.
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