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
Three months after Nancy Guthrie disappeared, a true crime streamer found unrelated human remains 7 miles from her house.
—Sarah Lapidus, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Man Who Stole Portugal is inspired by the titular true crime book by Murray Teigh Bloom about Alves dos Reis, who pulled off one of the largest frauds in history against the Bank of Portugal in 1925.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Set in Chicago in the Jazz Age and inspired by the true crime of passion news events that screamed from Windy City newspaper headlines, the musical is based on the 1926 play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a journalist covering the city’s courthouse beat.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The program will focus on topics such as high-quality production values, the ethics of true crime stories, alternative film distribution, as well as innovative approaches to storytelling and private equity financing of projects.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 May 2026
Who are true crime’s biggest fans?
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 4 May 2026
The Peepshow, which inverts the classic true crime structure, is masterful.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
The True Crime Podcast Proved Pivotal Louisiana State Police spokesperson Marc Gremillion told The AP the true crime podcast was the turning point.
—Ryan Brennan
april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
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Sarah Lapidus, USA Today, 8 May 2026
The Man Who Stole Portugal is inspired by the titular true crime book by Murray Teigh Bloom about Alves dos Reis, who pulled off one of the largest frauds in history against the Bank of Portugal in 1925.
—Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 7 May 2026
When a grisly death occurs inside their exclusive Upper West Side apartment building, the trio suspects murder and employs their knowledge of true crime to investigate the truth.
—Rosy Cordero, Deadline, 7 May 2026
Set in Chicago in the Jazz Age and inspired by the true crime of passion news events that screamed from Windy City newspaper headlines, the musical is based on the 1926 play of the same name by Maurine Dallas Watkins, a journalist covering the city’s courthouse beat.
—Philip Potempa, Chicago Tribune, 6 May 2026
The program will focus on topics such as high-quality production values, the ethics of true crime stories, alternative film distribution, as well as innovative approaches to storytelling and private equity financing of projects.
—Leo Barraclough, Variety, 6 May 2026
Who are true crime’s biggest fans?
—The Week Us, TheWeek, 4 May 2026
The Peepshow, which inverts the classic true crime structure, is masterful.
—Gabrielle Bellot, Literary Hub, 30 Apr. 2026
The True Crime Podcast Proved Pivotal Louisiana State Police spokesperson Marc Gremillion told The AP the true crime podcast was the turning point.
—Ryan Brennan
april 28, Miami Herald, 28 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 14 May. 2026.
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