The bash shell offers limited Emacs-style command line editing, with which one can delete a word using the sequence Escape-Control-H. While this works, it's awkward because it requires lots of movement with the left hand, and is difficult to do repeatedly.
It occurred to me that the Delete key is probably sending out a Control-H, so I tried the sequence Escape-Delete instead, using my left hand for Escape and my right hand for Delete. It worked, and was very easy to do repeatedly. And even if you miss the Escape, you still get the Delete, so no damage is done.

