diff --git a/src/calibre/gui2/search_box.py b/src/calibre/gui2/search_box.py
index 3b7c801df0..e307a33430 100644
--- a/src/calibre/gui2/search_box.py
+++ b/src/calibre/gui2/search_box.py
@@ -57,6 +57,12 @@ class SearchLineEdit(QLineEdit):  # {{{
         else:
             menu.addAction(ac)
         menu.addSeparator()
+        ac = menu.addAction(_('Invert current search'))
+        ac.setEnabled(bool(self.text()))
+        ac.setIcon(QIcon.ic('search.png'))
+        ac.triggered.connect(self.reverse_search)
+        menu.addAction(ac)
+        menu.addSeparator()
         if self.as_url is not None:
             url = self.as_url(self.text())
             if url:
@@ -64,6 +70,11 @@ class SearchLineEdit(QLineEdit):  # {{{
         menu.addAction(_('&Clear search history')).triggered.connect(self.clear_history)
         menu.exec(ev.globalPos())
 
+    def reverse_search(self):
+        self.setText(f'NOT ( {self.text()} )')
+        ev = QKeyEvent(QEvent.Type.KeyPress, Qt.Key.Key_Enter, Qt.KeyboardModifier.NoModifier)
+        self.keyPressEvent(ev)
+
     def paste_and_search(self):
         self.paste()
         ev = QKeyEvent(QEvent.Type.KeyPress, Qt.Key.Key_Enter, Qt.KeyboardModifier.NoModifier)