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
Netflix's startling new true crime documentary delves into the tragic 2023 murder of Ajike Owens, a Black Florida woman, by Lorincz, her white neighbor.
—Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
The series also links Gein — who confessed to killing two women, robbing countless graves and making items of the body parts of his victims — to both the sensation about true crime stories and to many horror films that featured over-the-top killers.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Below, Macmanus reflects on initially turning the series down, working closely with GLAAD throughout the process, reaching out to five victims’ families, and the competition — namely Ryan Murphy — in the true crime genre.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
In the process, Shackleton delivers an often hilarious, satirical deep dive into how true crime documentaries, ever so the fashion these days, operate and work their way upon audiences.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2025
The best true crime stories act as ports of entry to entire communities.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
The series is billed as a tense, Hitchcockian thriller and an examination of America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Unlike Monster, which attempts to absolve itself from feeding into Gein mania by focusing on the other writers and directors inspired by that serial killer, Devil in Disguise doesn’t try to implicate its audience in the sport of watching true crime.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
The Adelsons’ involvement in the murder case’s tangled web has riveted those in the state capital — and thousands of internet true crime sleuths — for nearly a decade.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
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Ryan Coleman, Entertainment Weekly, 22 Oct. 2025
The series also links Gein — who confessed to killing two women, robbing countless graves and making items of the body parts of his victims — to both the sensation about true crime stories and to many horror films that featured over-the-top killers.
—Victoria Edel, PEOPLE, 20 Oct. 2025
Below, Macmanus reflects on initially turning the series down, working closely with GLAAD throughout the process, reaching out to five victims’ families, and the competition — namely Ryan Murphy — in the true crime genre.
—Emily Longeretta, Variety, 17 Oct. 2025
In the process, Shackleton delivers an often hilarious, satirical deep dive into how true crime documentaries, ever so the fashion these days, operate and work their way upon audiences.
—Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 16 Oct. 2025
The best true crime stories act as ports of entry to entire communities.
—Literary Hub, 16 Oct. 2025
The series is billed as a tense, Hitchcockian thriller and an examination of America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century.
—Denise Petski, Deadline, 16 Oct. 2025
Unlike Monster, which attempts to absolve itself from feeding into Gein mania by focusing on the other writers and directors inspired by that serial killer, Devil in Disguise doesn’t try to implicate its audience in the sport of watching true crime.
—Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 16 Oct. 2025
The Adelsons’ involvement in the murder case’s tangled web has riveted those in the state capital — and thousands of internet true crime sleuths — for nearly a decade.
—Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 24 Oct. 2025.
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