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
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
Going West launches with The Unwell Network Tuesday and features true crime storytelling, including unsolved disappearance and murder cases, with hosts Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
Blending the vividness of true crime with original investigative journalism, Horn tells the story not just of one neighborhood, but of an avoidable — and tragic — crisis.
—New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Ruby even somehow finagles AJ’s ultimate true crime fixation, Amanda Knox, into meeting AJ for dinner.
—Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 21 Dec. 2024
The series aims to deliver an entertaining and empathetic approach to true crime storytelling, combining investigative journalism with compelling narratives.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Prediction for 2025: Posthumous reappraisal, at least two true crime podcasts.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 30 Dec. 2024
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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
Going West launches with The Unwell Network Tuesday and features true crime storytelling, including unsolved disappearance and murder cases, with hosts Daphne Woolsoncroft and Heath Merryman.
—Caitlin Huston, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Jan. 2025
Blending the vividness of true crime with original investigative journalism, Horn tells the story not just of one neighborhood, but of an avoidable — and tragic — crisis.
—New York Times, 26 Dec. 2024
Ruby even somehow finagles AJ’s ultimate true crime fixation, Amanda Knox, into meeting AJ for dinner.
—Scarlett Harris, IndieWire, 21 Dec. 2024
The series aims to deliver an entertaining and empathetic approach to true crime storytelling, combining investigative journalism with compelling narratives.
—Armando Tinoco, Deadline, 19 Dec. 2024
Prediction for 2025: Posthumous reappraisal, at least two true crime podcasts.
—Brendan Hay, SPIN, 30 Dec. 2024
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 18 Jan. 2025.
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