rub the wrong way Synonyms

rub the wrong way Meaning

rub the wrong way

something that is annoying, a combination of spices that is rubbed into the surface of meat before the meat is cooked, to treat in any of various ways by rubbing, the application of friction with pressure, annoy, irritate, something that mars serenity, obstruction, difficulty, to continue in a situation usually with slight difficulty, something grating to the feelings (such as a gibe or harsh criticism), to subject to or as if to the action of something moving especially back and forth with pressure and friction, to cause (a body) to move with pressure and friction along a surface, to bring into reciprocal back-and-forth or rotary contact, antagonize, irritate, to bring forcefully or repeatedly to one's attention, to wear away or chafe with friction, to cause discontent, irritation, or anger, something that gets in the way, the act of rubbing, to fret or chafe with or as if with friction, an unevenness of surface (as of the ground in lawn bowling), to associate closely, a sound heard in auscultation that is produced by the friction of one structure moving against another, to move along the surface of a body with pressure, to admit of being rubbed (as for erasure or obliteration), to scour, polish, erase, spread, or smear by pressure and friction

rub the wrong way Sentence Examples

  1. The senator's patronizing tone rubbed the voters the wrong way, alienating them from his campaign.
  2. Emily's constant interruptions rubbed her coworker the wrong way, making it difficult for them to collaborate effectively.
  3. The company's policy of dismissing employees without notice rubbed the staff the wrong way, fostering a sense of mistrust.
  4. The coach's abrasive criticism rubbed the players the wrong way, undermining their confidence and motivation.
  5. The neighbor's loud music rubbed the homeowner the wrong way, disturbing her peace and quiet.
  6. The child's constant whining rubbed the parents the wrong way, testing their patience to the limit.
  7. The politician's empty promises rubbed the electorate the wrong way, eroding their faith in the political system.
  8. The teacher's sarcastic remarks rubbed the students the wrong way, creating a negative and unwelcoming learning environment.
  9. The boss's dictatorial style rubbed the employees the wrong way, stifling their creativity and initiative.
  10. The band's experimental sound rubbed the audience the wrong way, resulting in a lukewarm reception at their concert.

FAQs About the word rub the wrong way

something that is annoying, a combination of spices that is rubbed into the surface of meat before the meat is cooked, to treat in any of various ways by rubbin

burn (up), bug, irritate, persecute, put out, bother,annoy, aggravate, vex, rasp

assure, content, delight, gratify, oblige, placate,please, appease, comfort, satisfy

The senator's patronizing tone rubbed the voters the wrong way, alienating them from his campaign.

Emily's constant interruptions rubbed her coworker the wrong way, making it difficult for them to collaborate effectively.

The company's policy of dismissing employees without notice rubbed the staff the wrong way, fostering a sense of mistrust.

The coach's abrasive criticism rubbed the players the wrong way, undermining their confidence and motivation.