Rubs the wrong way crossword clue
54 Across · WSJ Crossword, September 18, 2026 · 5 letters
Explanation
The answer to “Rubs the wrong way” is RILES. It appears as 54 Across in the Wall Street Journal crossword of September 18, 2026, a Friday puzzle titled “Guest Workers” by Mike Shenk, and it fills 5 squares running left to right from row 9, column 1 of the 21×21 grid.
The clue is a straightforward definition, so the answer is a direct synonym or a factual match for the words as written. The entry begins with R and ends with S, and contains 2 vowels and 3 consonants. If you are working from the crossings, two or three confirmed letters from the Down entries should be enough to lock it in. Friday puzzles are the Journal’s contest crosswords with a hidden meta answer, so expect the rest of this grid to be pitched at the same level.
Past appearances
Clues in other WSJ puzzles with the answer RILES:
- AgitatesJul 23, 2026