The term 'rub the wrong way' is an idiom that means to IRRITATE or ANNOY someone. The crossword solutions for this term include IRK (3 letters), NETTLE (6 letters), ANNOY (5 letters), RILE (4 letters), VEX (3 letters), ABRADE (6 letters), CHAFE (5 letters), MIFF (4 letters), IRRITATE (8 letters), RANKLE (6 letters), BOTHER (6 letters), GALL (4 letters), GRATE (5 letters), and PEEVE (5 letters). All of these words have similar meanings, as they are all used to describe a feeling of annoyance or irritation.