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
Published on June 5 in the journal Criminal Law Forum, the investigation draws on direct archival evidence from Cambridge University that is helping fill in the gaps to a high-profile true crime scandal that would make headlines even today.
—Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
The high-profile whodunnit has sparked massive intrigue from true crime fans across the country, many of whom have feverishly taken sides.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Tentations au Soleil; and on the true crime front are docu-series Narco Mennonites; and three-parters Above Suspicion and The Christine Jessop Story.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 June 2025
Delving into the history of the craft from the diving bells of Aristotle and Alexander the Great to the Confederate H. L. Hunley to the story of submarine inventor Peter Madsen's murder of journalist Kim Wall, this literary true crime is best read firmly planted on dry land.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 30 May 2025
The season focuses, instead, on Carl’s new assignment to establish Department Q—a cold-case division funded by law-enforcement leaders bent on generating positive press by creating fodder for true crime podcasts.
—Judy Berman, Time, 29 May 2025
The discovery of their presence on the card sparked significant interest among collectors and true crime aficionados.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
Melly’s case, followed by hip-hop fans and true crime sleuths across the world, even led to him being name-dropped during the highly public feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
That's really nice to see that people aren't just looking at it as a true crime documentary.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 23 May 2025
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Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 6 June 2025
The high-profile whodunnit has sparked massive intrigue from true crime fans across the country, many of whom have feverishly taken sides.
—Christopher Cann, USA Today, 5 June 2025
Tentations au Soleil; and on the true crime front are docu-series Narco Mennonites; and three-parters Above Suspicion and The Christine Jessop Story.
—Jesse Whittock, Deadline, 5 June 2025
Delving into the history of the craft from the diving bells of Aristotle and Alexander the Great to the Confederate H. L. Hunley to the story of submarine inventor Peter Madsen's murder of journalist Kim Wall, this literary true crime is best read firmly planted on dry land.
—Lizz Schumer, People.com, 30 May 2025
The season focuses, instead, on Carl’s new assignment to establish Department Q—a cold-case division funded by law-enforcement leaders bent on generating positive press by creating fodder for true crime podcasts.
—Judy Berman, Time, 29 May 2025
The discovery of their presence on the card sparked significant interest among collectors and true crime aficionados.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, FOXNews.com, 25 May 2025
Melly’s case, followed by hip-hop fans and true crime sleuths across the world, even led to him being name-dropped during the highly public feud between Drake and Kendrick Lamar.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 12 May 2025
That's really nice to see that people aren't just looking at it as a true crime documentary.
—Stephanie McNeal, Glamour, 23 May 2025
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
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