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 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
Studios brands and is backed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, boasts a library of over 70,000 movies and episodes spanning genres including true crime, reality, animation, classics and horror.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
These include social star-making competition format Model Creator and true crime series Cr1me C0de, which were both announced at MIPCOM.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
The podcasts will range from sports to culture to true crime, aiming to both complement Netflix's current slate and bring in new audiences, pulling from The Ringer's lineup.
—Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Hulu has a good true crime documentary How did the case of a woman who was stabbed 20 times, including some wounds in her back, get ruled a suicide?
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Oct. 2025
The author explained that her latest saga was inspired by her interest in true crime podcasts.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
There's always a new true crime story that Hollywood will be eager to retell.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Today on the show, our hosts favorite pieces of true crime content.
—Darian Woods, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
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Grethel Aguila, Miami Herald, 15 Oct. 2025
Studios brands and is backed by funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, boasts a library of over 70,000 movies and episodes spanning genres including true crime, reality, animation, classics and horror.
—Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 15 Oct. 2025
These include social star-making competition format Model Creator and true crime series Cr1me C0de, which were both announced at MIPCOM.
—Stewart Clarke, Deadline, 14 Oct. 2025
The podcasts will range from sports to culture to true crime, aiming to both complement Netflix's current slate and bring in new audiences, pulling from The Ringer's lineup.
—Laya Neelakandan, CNBC, 14 Oct. 2025
Hulu has a good true crime documentary How did the case of a woman who was stabbed 20 times, including some wounds in her back, get ruled a suicide?
—Keith Sharon, Nashville Tennessean, 14 Oct. 2025
The author explained that her latest saga was inspired by her interest in true crime podcasts.
—Michael Nied, PEOPLE, 14 Oct. 2025
There's always a new true crime story that Hollywood will be eager to retell.
—Kelly Lawler, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025
Today on the show, our hosts favorite pieces of true crime content.
—Darian Woods, NPR, 10 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 20 Oct. 2025.
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