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
That a New York Times writer would suggest that any forty-five-minute episode of a true crime show could capture the entire story behind a woman’s crime is absurd.
—John J. Lennon
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
This is my first true crime newsletter.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
The subject of the 2014 true crime podcast Serial was convicted of murdering his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, in 2000.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
And then the other aspect that is a powerful part of this [series] that separates it from other true crime is the anatomy of bias.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
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
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
John J. Lennon
september 24, Literary Hub, 24 Sep. 2025
This is my first true crime newsletter.
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 24 Sep. 2025
The subject of the 2014 true crime podcast Serial was convicted of murdering his 18-year-old ex-girlfriend, Hae Min Lee, in 2000.
—Emily Blackwood, PEOPLE, 18 Sep. 2025
And then the other aspect that is a powerful part of this [series] that separates it from other true crime is the anatomy of bias.
—Jackie Strause, HollywoodReporter, 17 Sep. 2025
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
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
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 26 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share