Meaning
Evil, especially considered as an active force for destruction or death.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English bale (“evil”), from Old English bealu, from Proto-West Germanic *balu, from Proto-Germanic *balwą. Cognate with Low German bal- (“bad, ill”), Gothic 𐌱𐌰𐌻𐍅𐌴𐌹𐌽𐍃 (balweins, “torture”), Old High German balo (“destruction”), Old Norse bǫl (“disaster”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 21 recorded puzzles:
- 2026-07-04BAEHILT
- 2026-05-26EAKCBIL
- 2026-04-14BALECIY
- 2026-03-03ABCEKLO
- 2025-12-14BVANIEL
- 2025-10-12BACEILT
- 2025-09-05ABEJLNY
- 2025-05-31LYAVEBO
- 2025-03-03BATGELV
- 2024-12-20BAPLEOW
- 2024-11-06LABEJNY
- 2024-08-23BAPLEOT
+9 earlier appearances in the archive.