Regex match entire words only
Use word boundaries: /\b($word)\b/i Or if you’re searching for “S.P.E.C.T.R.E.” like in Sinan Ünür’s example: /(?:\W|^)(\Q$word\E)(?:\W|$)/i
Use word boundaries: /\b($word)\b/i Or if you’re searching for “S.P.E.C.T.R.E.” like in Sinan Ünür’s example: /(?:\W|^)(\Q$word\E)(?:\W|$)/i