The hyphen can be used in a query for term or expression negation, and is equivalent to NOT.
Whether a hyphen is interpreted as a negation depends on its location in the query string. For example, when a hyphen immediately precedes a term or expression, it is interpreted as a negation. If the hyphen is embedded within a term, it is interpreted as a hyphen.
A hyphen used for negation must be preceded by a white space, and followed immediately by an expression.
When used in a phrase of a fuzzy expression, the hyphen is treated as white space and used as a term breaker.
The table "Hyphen interpretations" shows the allowed syntax for hyphen:
Query string |
Equivalent to |
Interpreted as |
|---|---|---|
'the -best' |
'the AND NOT best', 'the AND -best', 'the & -best', 'the NOT best' |
Find the term the, and not the term best. |
'the -(very best)' |
'the AND NOT (very AND best)' |
Find the term the, and not the terms very and best. |
'the -"very best"' |
'the AND NOT "very best"' |
Find the term the, and not the phrase very best. |
'alpha-numerics' |
'"alpha numerics"' |
Find the term alpha, immediately followed by the term numerics. |
'wild - west' |
'wild west', and 'wild AND west' |
Find the term wild, and the term west. |