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 documentary, now streaming on Netflix, offers a first-hand look at both sides of the complex case that has sparked debate across true crime podcasts, books, and 20/20 and 48 hour episodes.
—Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
He, along with his sister and other members of their family, were interviewed over the past four years for the true crime doc, which began streaming on May 9.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 10 May 2025
Though some believe true crime obsession is a recent phenomenon, there is a long history of Americans being interested in and talking about crime, said Adam Golub, professor of American studies at California State University, Fullerton.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
This is the story of Untested, an exclusive true crime podcast from USA TODAY and Witness.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2025
The 10-episode series is a tense, Hitchcockian thriller and an examination of America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 May 2025
The show also expands the purview of the streaming service to true crime, beyond the existing 20/20 programming.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
New pieces of the Holly Bobo murder case will come to light in a new true crime podcast that looks back at the 2011 abduction and killing of the Tennessee nursing student.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Interest in the case has swept the country since then, spurring an array of true crime podcasts, movies, television shows and a host of supporters for both Read and O’Keefe.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
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Monica Mercuri, Forbes.com, 10 May 2025
He, along with his sister and other members of their family, were interviewed over the past four years for the true crime doc, which began streaming on May 9.
—Lynsey Eidell, People.com, 10 May 2025
Though some believe true crime obsession is a recent phenomenon, there is a long history of Americans being interested in and talking about crime, said Adam Golub, professor of American studies at California State University, Fullerton.
—Taylor Romine, CNN Money, 10 May 2025
This is the story of Untested, an exclusive true crime podcast from USA TODAY and Witness.
—Dana Taylor, USA Today, 6 May 2025
The 10-episode series is a tense, Hitchcockian thriller and an examination of America’s obsession with true crime in the 21st century.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 6 May 2025
The show also expands the purview of the streaming service to true crime, beyond the existing 20/20 programming.
—Alex Weprin, HollywoodReporter, 5 May 2025
New pieces of the Holly Bobo murder case will come to light in a new true crime podcast that looks back at the 2011 abduction and killing of the Tennessee nursing student.
—Sean Neumann, People.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Interest in the case has swept the country since then, spurring an array of true crime podcasts, movies, television shows and a host of supporters for both Read and O’Keefe.
—Michael Loria, USA Today, 27 Apr. 2025
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 16 May. 2025.
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