Word with eye or empire

The answer to the crossword question “Word with eye or empire is EVIL” is the word “EVIL” itself. The clue is referencing words that can be paired with “eye” or “empire” and still form a complete thought. For example, “evil eye” refers to a look or glance that is believed to bring bad luck or misfortune to the recipient. And “evil empire” was a term used in the 1980s to describe the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Therefore, “evil” is the word that fits both pairs and completes the crossword puzzle.