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 idea of a film that deconstructs true crime and its clichés — and maybe us viewers in the process — is too delicious to resist.
—Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025
The decision to replace its signature novelas with a true crime program marks a significant departure for Univision, which has long relied on Televisa telenovelas and has access to an extensive library, following a multibillion-dollar content merger.
—Veronica Villafañe, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
This is the basis of The Bunker, a shocking true crime docuseries that debuts on Thursday, Jan. 16, on the streaming service Viaplay, available as an add-on subscription to Amazon Prime.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Why The Breakthrough stands out in the true crime genre
Lily Evita Wahlsteen as Klara in The BreakthroughCourtesy of Netflix
Unlike many true crime productions that focus heavily on the perpetrators, The Breakthrough shifts the spotlight to the victims and the investigators.
—Isabella Wandermurem, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025
Any football fan, true crime aficionado or news junkie knows the story of Aaron Hernandez, the prodigiously gifted NFL star who was found guilty of murder and then hung himself in prison.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2025
Like the secrets exposed in true crime stories on NBC’s Dateline, some of the iconic prime time magazine’s stories simply won’t fade into the past.
—Mark Joyella, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
That Wasn't There — An EW true crime story
07 of 15
Focus (2015)
Name two actors with a more dynamic on-screen presence than Will Smith and Margot Robbie.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Snub: Cooper Koch for 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story'
Javier Bardem is the only cast member nominated by the SAG Awards for Ryan Murphy's true crime series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
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Bilge Ebiri, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025
The decision to replace its signature novelas with a true crime program marks a significant departure for Univision, which has long relied on Televisa telenovelas and has access to an extensive library, following a multibillion-dollar content merger.
—Veronica Villafañe, Forbes, 14 Jan. 2025
This is the basis of The Bunker, a shocking true crime docuseries that debuts on Thursday, Jan. 16, on the streaming service Viaplay, available as an add-on subscription to Amazon Prime.
—Kc Baker, People.com, 11 Jan. 2025
Why The Breakthrough stands out in the true crime genre
Lily Evita Wahlsteen as Klara in The BreakthroughCourtesy of Netflix
Unlike many true crime productions that focus heavily on the perpetrators, The Breakthrough shifts the spotlight to the victims and the investigators.
—Isabella Wandermurem, TIME, 10 Jan. 2025
Any football fan, true crime aficionado or news junkie knows the story of Aaron Hernandez, the prodigiously gifted NFL star who was found guilty of murder and then hung himself in prison.
—Chris Vognar, Rolling Stone, 8 Jan. 2025
Like the secrets exposed in true crime stories on NBC’s Dateline, some of the iconic prime time magazine’s stories simply won’t fade into the past.
—Mark Joyella, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025
That Wasn't There — An EW true crime story
07 of 15
Focus (2015)
Name two actors with a more dynamic on-screen presence than Will Smith and Margot Robbie.
—Sara Netzley, EW.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Snub: Cooper Koch for 'Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story'
Javier Bardem is the only cast member nominated by the SAG Awards for Ryan Murphy's true crime series Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story.
—Benjamin Vanhoose, People.com, 8 Jan. 2025
Articles Related to true crime
Dictionary Entries Near true crime
Cite this Entry
“True crime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/true%20crime. Accessed 30 Jan. 2025.
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