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true-crime

American  
[troo-krahym] / ˈtruˈkraɪm /

adjective

  1. based on or describing an actual crime.


Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Strange, considering the medium made true-crime and horror storytelling into a viable cottage industry.

From Salon • Mar. 15, 2026

Long, who has joined so-called "mom detectives" who post videos on social media about true-crime cases, has been invested in the disappearance because her own mother is close to Nancy Guthrie's age.

From BBC • Mar. 8, 2026

“I feel like I’m on a crime vacation,” said John DePetro, a true-crime content creator and Rhode Island native, savoring the desert climate.

From Slate • Feb. 23, 2026

“Don’t Talk About Joe Mac” is much more than a true-crime gore fest that reveals where the bodies are buried.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 9, 2026

“You’re writing a book or something. A true-crime novel.”

From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee