diff --git a/archival/ar.c b/archival/ar.c
index 46c10aad4..027cd6b5a 100644
--- a/archival/ar.c
+++ b/archival/ar.c
@@ -243,10 +243,13 @@ int ar_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	/* prepend '-' to the first argument if required */
 	if (argv[1] && argv[1][0] != '-' && argv[1][0] != '\0')
 		argv[1] = xasprintf("-%s", argv[1]);
-	/* -1: at least one param is reqd */
-	/* one of p,t,x[,r] is required */
-	opt_complementary = "-1:p:t:x"IF_FEATURE_AR_CREATE(":r");
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "voc""ptx"IF_FEATURE_AR_CREATE("r"));
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"voc""ptx"IF_FEATURE_AR_CREATE("r")
+		"\0"
+		/* -1: at least one arg is reqd */
+		/* one of p,t,x[,r] is required */
+		"-1:p:t:x"IF_FEATURE_AR_CREATE(":r")
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	t = opt / FIRST_CMD;
diff --git a/archival/bzip2.c b/archival/bzip2.c
index 0b9c508df..d578eb7ad 100644
--- a/archival/bzip2.c
+++ b/archival/bzip2.c
@@ -195,9 +195,11 @@ int bzip2_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	 * --best        alias for -9
 	 */
 
-	opt_complementary = "s2"; /* -s means -2 (compatibility) */
-	/* Must match bbunzip's constants OPT_STDOUT, OPT_FORCE! */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "cfkv" IF_FEATURE_BZIP2_DECOMPRESS("dt") "123456789qzs");
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		/* Must match bbunzip's constants OPT_STDOUT, OPT_FORCE! */
+		"cfkv" IF_FEATURE_BZIP2_DECOMPRESS("dt") "123456789qzs"
+		"\0" "s2" /* -s means -2 (compatibility) */
+	);
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_BZIP2_DECOMPRESS /* bunzip2_main may not be visible... */
 	if (opt & 0x30) // -d and/or -t
 		return bunzip2_main(argc, argv);
diff --git a/archival/dpkg_deb.c b/archival/dpkg_deb.c
index 029bc4af1..f6bf9eb04 100644
--- a/archival/dpkg_deb.c
+++ b/archival/dpkg_deb.c
@@ -80,8 +80,9 @@ int dpkg_deb_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #endif
 
 	/* Must have 1 or 2 args */
-	opt_complementary = "-1:?2:c--efXx:e--cfXx:f--ceXx:X--cefx:x--cefX";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "cefXx");
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "cefXx"
+			"\0" "-1:?2:c--efXx:e--cfXx:f--ceXx:X--cefx:x--cefX"
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 	//argc -= optind;
 
diff --git a/archival/lzop.c b/archival/lzop.c
index df18ff170..1bf954f4f 100644
--- a/archival/lzop.c
+++ b/archival/lzop.c
@@ -1138,7 +1138,7 @@ int lzop_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	/* -U is "anti -k", invert bit for bbunpack(): */
 	option_mask32 ^= OPT_KEEP;
 	/* -k disables -U (if any): */
-	/* opt_complementary = "k-U"; - nope, only handles -Uk, not -kU */
+	/* opt_complementary "k-U"? - nope, only handles -Uk, not -kU */
 	if (option_mask32 & OPT_k)
 		option_mask32 |= OPT_KEEP;
 
diff --git a/archival/tar.c b/archival/tar.c
index 44ab246c0..73c14ca81 100644
--- a/archival/tar.c
+++ b/archival/tar.c
@@ -973,18 +973,6 @@ int tar_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	/* Prepend '-' to the first argument if required */
 	if (argv[1] && argv[1][0] != '-' && argv[1][0] != '\0')
 		argv[1] = xasprintf("-%s", argv[1]);
-	opt_complementary =
-		"tt:vv:" // count -t,-v
-#if ENABLE_FEATURE_TAR_LONG_OPTIONS && ENABLE_FEATURE_TAR_FROM
-		"\xff::" // --exclude=PATTERN is a list
-#endif
-		IF_FEATURE_TAR_CREATE("c:") "t:x:" // at least one of these is reqd
-		IF_FEATURE_TAR_CREATE("c--tx:t--cx:x--ct") // mutually exclusive
-		IF_NOT_FEATURE_TAR_CREATE("t--x:x--t") // mutually exclusive
-#if ENABLE_FEATURE_TAR_LONG_OPTIONS
-		":\xf9+" // --strip-components=NUM
-#endif
-	;
 #if ENABLE_DESKTOP
 	/* Lie to buildroot when it starts asking stupid questions. */
 	if (argv[1] && strcmp(argv[1], "--version") == 0) {
@@ -1021,7 +1009,7 @@ int tar_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		}
 	}
 #endif
-	opt = GETOPT32(argv,
+	opt = GETOPT32(argv, "^"
 		"txC:f:Oopvk"
 		IF_FEATURE_TAR_CREATE(   "ch"    )
 		IF_FEATURE_SEAMLESS_BZ2( "j"     )
@@ -1032,6 +1020,17 @@ int tar_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		IF_FEATURE_SEAMLESS_Z(   "Z"     )
 		IF_FEATURE_TAR_NOPRESERVE_TIME("m")
 		IF_FEATURE_TAR_LONG_OPTIONS("\xf9:") // --strip-components
+		"\0"
+		"tt:vv:" // count -t,-v
+#if ENABLE_FEATURE_TAR_LONG_OPTIONS && ENABLE_FEATURE_TAR_FROM
+		"\xff::" // --exclude=PATTERN is a list
+#endif
+		IF_FEATURE_TAR_CREATE("c:") "t:x:" // at least one of these is reqd
+		IF_FEATURE_TAR_CREATE("c--tx:t--cx:x--ct") // mutually exclusive
+		IF_NOT_FEATURE_TAR_CREATE("t--x:x--t") // mutually exclusive
+#if ENABLE_FEATURE_TAR_LONG_OPTIONS
+		":\xf9+" // --strip-components=NUM
+#endif
 		LONGOPTS
 		, &base_dir // -C dir
 		, &tar_filename // -f filename
diff --git a/console-tools/loadfont.c b/console-tools/loadfont.c
index 623d98175..81d0c3db4 100644
--- a/console-tools/loadfont.c
+++ b/console-tools/loadfont.c
@@ -348,8 +348,7 @@ int loadfont_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned char *buffer;
 
 	// no arguments allowed!
-	opt_complementary = "=0";
-	getopt32(argv, "");
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "" "\0" "=0");
 
 	/*
 	 * We used to look at the length of the input file
@@ -437,8 +436,7 @@ int setfont_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	char *mapfilename;
 	const char *tty_name = CURRENT_TTY;
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "m:C:", &mapfilename, &tty_name);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "m:C:" "\0" "=1", &mapfilename, &tty_name);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	fd = xopen_nonblocking(tty_name);
diff --git a/console-tools/setconsole.c b/console-tools/setconsole.c
index 8f4b7b7a6..bad2b76e4 100644
--- a/console-tools/setconsole.c
+++ b/console-tools/setconsole.c
@@ -47,8 +47,7 @@ int setconsole_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	int reset;
 
 	/* at most one non-option argument */
-	opt_complementary = "?1";
-	reset = getopt32(argv, "r");
+	reset = getopt32(argv, "^" "r" "\0" "?1");
 
 	argv += 1 + reset;
 	if (*argv) {
diff --git a/coreutils/cat.c b/coreutils/cat.c
index 390254512..7e35fa5ee 100644
--- a/coreutils/cat.c
+++ b/coreutils/cat.c
@@ -170,9 +170,11 @@ int cat_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 {
 	unsigned opts;
 
-	IF_FEATURE_CATV(opt_complementary = "Aetv"; /* -A == -vet */)
-	/* -u is ignored ("unbuffered") */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, IF_FEATURE_CATV("etvA") IF_FEATURE_CATN("nb") "u");
+	opts = getopt32(argv, IF_FEATURE_CATV("^")
+		/* -u is ignored ("unbuffered") */
+		IF_FEATURE_CATV("etvA")IF_FEATURE_CATN("nb")"u"
+		IF_FEATURE_CATV("\0" "Aetv" /* -A == -vet */)
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	/* Read from stdin if there's nothing else to do. */
diff --git a/coreutils/chmod.c b/coreutils/chmod.c
index 2174334d1..88989bf67 100644
--- a/coreutils/chmod.c
+++ b/coreutils/chmod.c
@@ -123,8 +123,7 @@ int chmod_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	}
 
 	/* Parse options */
-	opt_complementary = "-2";
-	getopt32(argv, ("-"OPT_STR) + 1); /* Reuse string */
+	getopt32(argv, "^" OPT_STR "\0" "-2");
 	argv += optind;
 
 	/* Restore option-like mode if needed */
diff --git a/coreutils/chown.c b/coreutils/chown.c
index 0c77529ec..985d18d6f 100644
--- a/coreutils/chown.c
+++ b/coreutils/chown.c
@@ -55,7 +55,7 @@
 /* This is a NOEXEC applet. Be very careful! */
 
 
-#define OPT_STR     ("Rh" IF_DESKTOP("vcfLHP"))
+#define OPT_STR     "Rh" IF_DESKTOP("vcfLHP")
 #define BIT_RECURSE 1
 #define OPT_RECURSE (opt & 1)
 #define OPT_NODEREF (opt & 2)
@@ -127,11 +127,10 @@ int chown_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	int opt, flags;
 	struct param_t param;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-2";
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_CHOWN_LONG_OPTIONS
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, OPT_STR, chown_longopts);
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^" OPT_STR "\0" "=2", chown_longopts);
 #else
-	opt = getopt32(argv, OPT_STR);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^" OPT_STR "\0" "=2");
 #endif
 	argv += optind;
 
diff --git a/coreutils/comm.c b/coreutils/comm.c
index 5be11468c..4bee77677 100644
--- a/coreutils/comm.c
+++ b/coreutils/comm.c
@@ -62,8 +62,7 @@ int comm_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	int i;
 	int order;
 
-	opt_complementary = "=2";
-	getopt32(argv, "123");
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "123" "\0" "=2");
 	argv += optind;
 
 	for (i = 0; i < 2; ++i) {
diff --git a/coreutils/cp.c b/coreutils/cp.c
index fe408950a..5b34c27e7 100644
--- a/coreutils/cp.c
+++ b/coreutils/cp.c
@@ -73,15 +73,17 @@ int cp_main(int argc, char **argv)
 #endif
 	};
 
-	// Need at least two arguments
-	// Soft- and hardlinking doesn't mix
-	// -P and -d are the same (-P is POSIX, -d is GNU)
-	// -r and -R are the same
-	// -R (and therefore -r) turns on -d (coreutils does this)
-	// -a = -pdR
-	opt_complementary = "-2:l--s:s--l:Pd:rRd:Rd:apdR";
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_CP_LONG_OPTIONS
-	flags = getopt32long(argv, FILEUTILS_CP_OPTSTR,
+	flags = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+		FILEUTILS_CP_OPTSTR
+		"\0"
+		// Need at least two arguments
+		// Soft- and hardlinking doesn't mix
+		// -P and -d are the same (-P is POSIX, -d is GNU)
+		// -r and -R are the same
+		// -R (and therefore -r) turns on -d (coreutils does this)
+		// -a = -pdR
+		"-2:l--s:s--l:Pd:rRd:Rd:apdR",
 		"archive\0"        No_argument "a"
 		"force\0"          No_argument "f"
 		"interactive\0"    No_argument "i"
diff --git a/coreutils/cut.c b/coreutils/cut.c
index 6578ce8ce..cdd90ab44 100644
--- a/coreutils/cut.c
+++ b/coreutils/cut.c
@@ -42,7 +42,7 @@
 
 
 /* option vars */
-static const char optstring[] ALIGN1 = "b:c:f:d:sn";
+#define OPT_STR "b:c:f:d:sn"
 #define CUT_OPT_BYTE_FLGS     (1 << 0)
 #define CUT_OPT_CHAR_FLGS     (1 << 1)
 #define CUT_OPT_FIELDS_FLGS   (1 << 2)
@@ -201,8 +201,11 @@ int cut_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	char *sopt, *ltok;
 	unsigned opt;
 
-	opt_complementary = "b--bcf:c--bcf:f--bcf";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, optstring, &sopt, &sopt, &sopt, &ltok);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			OPT_STR
+			"\0" "b--bcf:c--bcf:f--bcf",
+			&sopt, &sopt, &sopt, &ltok
+	);
 //	argc -= optind;
 	argv += optind;
 	if (!(opt & (CUT_OPT_BYTE_FLGS | CUT_OPT_CHAR_FLGS | CUT_OPT_FIELDS_FLGS)))
diff --git a/coreutils/date.c b/coreutils/date.c
index 33f210434..5b15ce778 100644
--- a/coreutils/date.c
+++ b/coreutils/date.c
@@ -192,12 +192,16 @@ int date_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	char *filename;
 	char *isofmt_arg = NULL;
 
-	opt_complementary = "d--s:s--d"
-		IF_FEATURE_DATE_ISOFMT(":R--I:I--R");
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "Rs:ud:r:"
-			IF_FEATURE_DATE_ISOFMT("I::D:"), date_longopts,
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+			"Rs:ud:r:"
+			IF_FEATURE_DATE_ISOFMT("I::D:")
+			"\0"
+			"d--s:s--d"
+			IF_FEATURE_DATE_ISOFMT(":R--I:I--R"),
+			date_longopts,
 			&date_str, &date_str, &filename
-			IF_FEATURE_DATE_ISOFMT(, &isofmt_arg, &fmt_str2dt));
+			IF_FEATURE_DATE_ISOFMT(, &isofmt_arg, &fmt_str2dt)
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 	maybe_set_utc(opt);
 
diff --git a/coreutils/df.c b/coreutils/df.c
index 4d6534bc2..121da970b 100644
--- a/coreutils/df.c
+++ b/coreutils/df.c
@@ -115,15 +115,18 @@ int df_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	init_unicode();
 
-#if ENABLE_FEATURE_HUMAN_READABLE && ENABLE_FEATURE_DF_FANCY
-	opt_complementary = "k-mB:m-Bk:B-km";
-#elif ENABLE_FEATURE_HUMAN_READABLE
-	opt_complementary = "k-m:m-k";
-#endif
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "kPT"
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"kPT"
 			IF_FEATURE_DF_FANCY("aiB:")
 			IF_FEATURE_HUMAN_READABLE("hm")
-			IF_FEATURE_DF_FANCY(, &chp));
+			"\0"
+#if ENABLE_FEATURE_HUMAN_READABLE && ENABLE_FEATURE_DF_FANCY
+			"k-mB:m-Bk:B-km"
+#elif ENABLE_FEATURE_HUMAN_READABLE
+			"k-m:m-k"
+#endif
+			IF_FEATURE_DF_FANCY(, &chp)
+	);
 	if (opt & OPT_MEGA)
 		df_disp_hr = 1024*1024;
 
diff --git a/coreutils/dos2unix.c b/coreutils/dos2unix.c
index a3d008051..9f098e41e 100644
--- a/coreutils/dos2unix.c
+++ b/coreutils/dos2unix.c
@@ -120,8 +120,7 @@ int dos2unix_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	}
 
 	/* -u convert to unix, -d convert to dos */
-	opt_complementary = "u--d:d--u"; /* mutually exclusive */
-	o = getopt32(argv, "du");
+	o = getopt32(argv, "^" "du" "\0" "u--d:d--u"); /* mutually exclusive */
 
 	/* Do the conversion requested by an argument else do the default
 	 * conversion depending on our name.  */
diff --git a/coreutils/du.c b/coreutils/du.c
index 947c46e74..d5ce46cf2 100644
--- a/coreutils/du.c
+++ b/coreutils/du.c
@@ -242,8 +242,11 @@ int du_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	 * ignore -a.  This is consistent with -s being equivalent to -d 0.
 	 */
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_HUMAN_READABLE
-	opt_complementary = "h-km:k-hm:m-hk:H-L:L-H:s-d:d-s";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "aHkLsx" "d:+" "lc" "hm", &G.max_print_depth);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"aHkLsxd:+lchm"
+			"\0" "h-km:k-hm:m-hk:H-L:L-H:s-d:d-s",
+			&G.max_print_depth
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 	if (opt & OPT_h_for_humans) {
 		G.disp_unit = 0;
@@ -255,8 +258,11 @@ int du_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		G.disp_unit = 1024;
 	}
 #else
-	opt_complementary = "H-L:L-H:s-d:d-s";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "aHkLsx" "d:+" "lc", &G.max_print_depth);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"aHkLsxd:+lc"
+			"\0" "H-L:L-H:s-d:d-s",
+			&G.max_print_depth
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 #if !ENABLE_FEATURE_DU_DEFAULT_BLOCKSIZE_1K
 	if (opt & OPT_k_kbytes) {
diff --git a/coreutils/expand.c b/coreutils/expand.c
index fa3ff18f4..91084b80b 100644
--- a/coreutils/expand.c
+++ b/coreutils/expand.c
@@ -174,9 +174,10 @@ int expand_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 				, &opt_t
 		);
 	} else {
-		/* -t NUM sets also -a */
-		opt_complementary = "ta";
-		opt = getopt32long(argv, "ft:a",
+		opt = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+				"ft:a"
+				"\0"
+				"ta" /* -t NUM sets -a */,
 				"first-only\0"       No_argument       "i"
 				"tabs\0"             Required_argument "t"
 				"all\0"              No_argument       "a"
diff --git a/coreutils/id.c b/coreutils/id.c
index 6043bca61..5a7fb9aaf 100644
--- a/coreutils/id.c
+++ b/coreutils/id.c
@@ -170,9 +170,12 @@ int id_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	} else {
 		/* Don't allow -n -r -nr -ug -rug -nug -rnug -uZ -gZ -GZ*/
 		/* Don't allow more than one username */
-		opt_complementary = "?1:u--g:g--u:G--u:u--G:g--G:G--g:r?ugG:n?ugG"
-			IF_SELINUX(":u--Z:Z--u:g--Z:Z--g:G--Z:Z--G");
-		opt = getopt32(argv, "rnugG" IF_SELINUX("Z"));
+		opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"rnugG" IF_SELINUX("Z")
+			"\0"
+			"?1:u--g:g--u:G--u:u--G:g--G:G--g:r?ugG:n?ugG"
+			IF_SELINUX(":u--Z:Z--u:g--Z:Z--g:G--Z:Z--G")
+		);
 	}
 
 	username = argv[optind];
diff --git a/coreutils/install.c b/coreutils/install.c
index c01750f81..2e4dc257f 100644
--- a/coreutils/install.c
+++ b/coreutils/install.c
@@ -140,13 +140,16 @@ int install_main(int argc, char **argv)
 #endif
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "t--d:d--t:s--d:d--s" IF_FEATURE_INSTALL_LONG_OPTIONS(IF_SELINUX(":Z--\xff:\xff--Z"));
 	/* -c exists for backwards compatibility, it's needed */
 	/* -b is ignored ("make a backup of each existing destination file") */
-	opts = GETOPT32(argv, "cvb" "Ddpsg:m:o:t:" IF_SELINUX("Z:"),
-			LONGOPTS
-			&gid_str, &mode_str, &uid_str, &last
-			IF_SELINUX(, &scontext)
+	opts = GETOPT32(argv, "^"
+		"cvb" "Ddpsg:m:o:t:" IF_SELINUX("Z:")
+		"\0"
+		"t--d:d--t:s--d:d--s"
+		IF_FEATURE_INSTALL_LONG_OPTIONS(IF_SELINUX(":Z--\xff:\xff--Z")),
+		LONGOPTS
+		&gid_str, &mode_str, &uid_str, &last
+		IF_SELINUX(, &scontext)
 	);
 	argc -= optind;
 	argv += optind;
diff --git a/coreutils/link.c b/coreutils/link.c
index 6e20dafe3..81808b778 100644
--- a/coreutils/link.c
+++ b/coreutils/link.c
@@ -27,8 +27,7 @@
 int link_main(int argc, char **argv) MAIN_EXTERNALLY_VISIBLE;
 int link_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 {
-	opt_complementary = "=2"; /* exactly 2 params */
-	getopt32(argv, "");
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "" "\0" "=2");
 	argv += optind;
 	if (link(argv[0], argv[1]) != 0) {
 		/* shared message */
diff --git a/coreutils/ln.c b/coreutils/ln.c
index fed96af42..2dda5dae9 100644
--- a/coreutils/ln.c
+++ b/coreutils/ln.c
@@ -62,8 +62,7 @@ int ln_main(int argc, char **argv)
 	struct stat statbuf;
 	int (*link_func)(const char *, const char *);
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* min one arg */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "sfnbS:vT", &suffix);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "sfnbS:vT" "\0" "-1", &suffix);
 
 	last = argv[argc - 1];
 	argv += optind;
diff --git a/coreutils/ls.c b/coreutils/ls.c
index 0834cdc63..af5e6cb51 100644
--- a/coreutils/ls.c
+++ b/coreutils/ls.c
@@ -206,18 +206,18 @@ SPLIT_SUBDIR    = 2,
 /* -SXvhTw  GNU options, busybox optionally supports */
 /* -T WIDTH Ignored (we don't use tabs on output) */
 /* -Z       SELinux mandated option, busybox optionally supports */
-static const char ls_options[] ALIGN1 =
-	"Cadi1lgnsxAk"       /* 12 opts, total 12 */
-	IF_FEATURE_LS_FILETYPES("Fp")    /* 2, 14 */
-	IF_FEATURE_LS_RECURSIVE("R")     /* 1, 15 */
-	IF_SELINUX("Z")                  /* 1, 16 */
-	"Q"                              /* 1, 17 */
-	IF_FEATURE_LS_TIMESTAMPS("ctu")  /* 3, 20 */
-	IF_FEATURE_LS_SORTFILES("SXrv")  /* 4, 24 */
-	IF_FEATURE_LS_FOLLOWLINKS("LH")  /* 2, 26 */
-	IF_FEATURE_HUMAN_READABLE("h")   /* 1, 27 */
+#define ls_options \
+	"Cadi1lgnsxAk"       /* 12 opts, total 12 */ \
+	IF_FEATURE_LS_FILETYPES("Fp")    /* 2, 14 */ \
+	IF_FEATURE_LS_RECURSIVE("R")     /* 1, 15 */ \
+	IF_SELINUX("Z")                  /* 1, 16 */ \
+	"Q"                              /* 1, 17 */ \
+	IF_FEATURE_LS_TIMESTAMPS("ctu")  /* 3, 20 */ \
+	IF_FEATURE_LS_SORTFILES("SXrv")  /* 4, 24 */ \
+	IF_FEATURE_LS_FOLLOWLINKS("LH")  /* 2, 26 */ \
+	IF_FEATURE_HUMAN_READABLE("h")   /* 1, 27 */ \
 	IF_FEATURE_LS_WIDTH("T:w:")      /* 2, 29 */
-;
+
 enum {
 	OPT_C = (1 << 0),
 	OPT_a = (1 << 1),
@@ -1093,24 +1093,26 @@ int ls_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #endif
 
 	/* process options */
-	opt_complementary =
-		/* -n and -g imply -l */
-		"nl:gl"
-		/* --full-time implies -l */
-		IF_FEATURE_LS_TIMESTAMPS(IF_LONG_OPTS(":\xff""l"))
-		/* http://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/utilities/ls.html:
-		 * in some pairs of opts, only last one takes effect:
-		 */
-		IF_FEATURE_LS_TIMESTAMPS(IF_FEATURE_LS_SORTFILES(":t-S:S-t")) /* time/size */
-		// ":m-l:l-m" - we don't have -m
-		IF_FEATURE_LS_FOLLOWLINKS(":H-L:L-H")
-		":C-xl:x-Cl:l-xC" /* bycols/bylines/long */
-		":C-1:1-C" /* bycols/oneline */
-		":x-1:1-x" /* bylines/oneline (not in SuS, but in GNU coreutils 8.4) */
-		IF_FEATURE_LS_TIMESTAMPS(":c-u:u-c") /* mtime/atime */
-		/* -w NUM: */
-		IF_FEATURE_LS_WIDTH(":w+");
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, ls_options, ls_longopts
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+		ls_options
+			"\0"
+			/* -n and -g imply -l */
+			"nl:gl"
+			/* --full-time implies -l */
+			IF_FEATURE_LS_TIMESTAMPS(IF_LONG_OPTS(":\xff""l"))
+			/* http://pubs.opengroup.org/onlinepubs/9699919799/utilities/ls.html:
+			 * in some pairs of opts, only last one takes effect:
+			 */
+			IF_FEATURE_LS_TIMESTAMPS(IF_FEATURE_LS_SORTFILES(":t-S:S-t")) /* time/size */
+			// ":m-l:l-m" - we don't have -m
+			IF_FEATURE_LS_FOLLOWLINKS(":H-L:L-H")
+			":C-xl:x-Cl:l-xC" /* bycols/bylines/long */
+			":C-1:1-C" /* bycols/oneline */
+			":x-1:1-x" /* bylines/oneline (not in SuS, but in GNU coreutils 8.4) */
+			IF_FEATURE_LS_TIMESTAMPS(":c-u:u-c") /* mtime/atime */
+			/* -w NUM: */
+			IF_FEATURE_LS_WIDTH(":w+")
+		, ls_longopts
 		IF_FEATURE_LS_WIDTH(, /*-T*/ NULL, /*-w*/ &G_terminal_width)
 		IF_FEATURE_LS_COLOR(, &color_opt)
 	);
diff --git a/coreutils/md5_sha1_sum.c b/coreutils/md5_sha1_sum.c
index bcccdd64f..89d6cec0b 100644
--- a/coreutils/md5_sha1_sum.c
+++ b/coreutils/md5_sha1_sum.c
@@ -258,15 +258,14 @@ int md5_sha1_sum_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #endif
 
 	if (ENABLE_FEATURE_MD5_SHA1_SUM_CHECK) {
-		/* -s and -w require -c */
-		opt_complementary = "s?c:w?c";
 		/* -b "binary", -t "text" are ignored (shaNNNsum compat) */
+		/* -s and -w require -c */
 #if ENABLE_SHA3SUM
 		if (applet_name[3] == HASH_SHA3)
-			flags = getopt32(argv, "scwbta:+", &sha3_width);
+			flags = getopt32(argv, "^" "scwbta:+" "\0" "s?c:w?c", &sha3_width);
 		else
 #endif
-			flags = getopt32(argv, "scwbt");
+			flags = getopt32(argv, "^" "scwbt" "\0" "s?c:w?c");
 	} else {
 #if ENABLE_SHA3SUM
 		if (applet_name[3] == HASH_SHA3)
diff --git a/coreutils/mktemp.c b/coreutils/mktemp.c
index 944eb0e06..d4ff883fa 100644
--- a/coreutils/mktemp.c
+++ b/coreutils/mktemp.c
@@ -80,8 +80,7 @@ int mktemp_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	if (!path || path[0] == '\0')
 		path = "/tmp";
 
-	opt_complementary = "?1"; /* 1 argument max */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "dqtp:u", &path);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "dqtp:u" "\0" "?1"/*1 arg max*/, &path);
 
 	chp = argv[optind];
 	if (!chp) {
diff --git a/coreutils/mv.c b/coreutils/mv.c
index 7f6e9fef5..10cbc506f 100644
--- a/coreutils/mv.c
+++ b/coreutils/mv.c
@@ -55,8 +55,10 @@ int mv_main(int argc, char **argv)
 	 * If more than one of -f, -i, -n is specified , only the final one
 	 * takes effect (it unsets previous options).
 	 */
-	opt_complementary = "-2:f-in:i-fn:n-fi";
-	flags = getopt32long(argv, "finv",
+	flags = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+			"finv"
+			"\0"
+			"-2:f-in:i-fn:n-fi",
 			"interactive\0" No_argument "i"
 			"force\0"       No_argument "f"
 			"no-clobber\0"  No_argument "n"
diff --git a/coreutils/readlink.c b/coreutils/readlink.c
index 7f8d6b239..b8e327d11 100644
--- a/coreutils/readlink.c
+++ b/coreutils/readlink.c
@@ -71,8 +71,7 @@ int readlink_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	IF_FEATURE_READLINK_FOLLOW(
 		unsigned opt;
 		/* We need exactly one non-option argument.  */
-		opt_complementary = "=1";
-		opt = getopt32(argv, "fnvsq");
+		opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "fnvsq" "\0" "=1");
 		fname = argv[optind];
 	)
 	IF_NOT_FEATURE_READLINK_FOLLOW(
diff --git a/coreutils/rm.c b/coreutils/rm.c
index 5e4acab8c..b68a82dc4 100644
--- a/coreutils/rm.c
+++ b/coreutils/rm.c
@@ -46,8 +46,7 @@ int rm_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	int flags = 0;
 	unsigned opt;
 
-	opt_complementary = "f-i:i-f";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "fiRrv");
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "fiRrv" "\0" "f-i:i-f");
 	argv += optind;
 	if (opt & 1)
 		flags |= FILEUTILS_FORCE;
diff --git a/coreutils/shuf.c b/coreutils/shuf.c
index 403041534..d0caaa2ce 100644
--- a/coreutils/shuf.c
+++ b/coreutils/shuf.c
@@ -70,8 +70,11 @@ int shuf_main(int argc, char **argv)
 	unsigned numlines;
 	char eol;
 
-	opt_complementary = "e--i:i--e"; /* mutually exclusive */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, OPT_STR, &opt_i_str, &opt_n_str, &opt_o_str);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			OPT_STR
+			"\0" "e--i:i--e"/* mutually exclusive */,
+			&opt_i_str, &opt_n_str, &opt_o_str
+	);
 
 	argc -= optind;
 	argv += optind;
diff --git a/coreutils/sort.c b/coreutils/sort.c
index 9860dca64..ceea24491 100644
--- a/coreutils/sort.c
+++ b/coreutils/sort.c
@@ -94,7 +94,7 @@
 */
 
 /* These are sort types */
-static const char OPT_STR[] ALIGN1 = "ngMucszbrdfimS:T:o:k:*t:";
+#define OPT_STR "ngMucszbrdfimS:T:o:k:*t:"
 enum {
 	FLAG_n  = 1,            /* Numeric sort */
 	FLAG_g  = 2,            /* Sort using strtod() */
@@ -378,9 +378,11 @@ int sort_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	xfunc_error_retval = 2;
 
 	/* Parse command line options */
-	/* -o and -t can be given at most once */
-	opt_complementary = "o--o:t--t"; /* -t, -o: at most one of each */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, OPT_STR, &str_ignored, &str_ignored, &str_o, &lst_k, &str_t);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			OPT_STR
+			"\0" "o--o:t--t"/*-t, -o: at most one of each*/,
+			&str_ignored, &str_ignored, &str_o, &lst_k, &str_t
+	);
 	/* global b strips leading and trailing spaces */
 	if (opts & FLAG_b)
 		option_mask32 |= FLAG_bb;
diff --git a/coreutils/split.c b/coreutils/split.c
index d0c63573a..4e1db190c 100644
--- a/coreutils/split.c
+++ b/coreutils/split.c
@@ -100,8 +100,11 @@ int split_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	setup_common_bufsiz();
 
-	opt_complementary = "?2"; /* max 2 args; -a N */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "l:b:a:+", &count_p, &count_p, &suffix_len);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"l:b:a:+" /* -a N */
+			"\0" "?2"/*max 2 args*/,
+			&count_p, &count_p, &suffix_len
+	);
 
 	if (opt & SPLIT_OPT_l)
 		cnt = XATOOFF(count_p);
diff --git a/coreutils/stat.c b/coreutils/stat.c
index 4e926a908..dafbd4e9f 100644
--- a/coreutils/stat.c
+++ b/coreutils/stat.c
@@ -762,11 +762,13 @@ int stat_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned opts;
 	statfunc_ptr statfunc = do_stat;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* min one arg */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "tL"
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"tL"
 		IF_FEATURE_STAT_FILESYSTEM("f")
 		IF_SELINUX("Z")
-		IF_FEATURE_STAT_FORMAT("c:", &format)
+		IF_FEATURE_STAT_FORMAT("c:")
+		"\0" "-1" /* min one arg */
+		IF_FEATURE_STAT_FORMAT(,&format)
 	);
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_STAT_FILESYSTEM
 	if (opts & OPT_FILESYS) /* -f */
diff --git a/coreutils/sync.c b/coreutils/sync.c
index 66445281a..9be47ab64 100644
--- a/coreutils/sync.c
+++ b/coreutils/sync.c
@@ -59,8 +59,7 @@ int sync_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv IF_NOT_DESKTOP(UNUSED_PARAM))
 		OPT_SYNCFS   = (1 << 1),
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "d--f:f--d";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "df");
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "df" "\0" "d--f:f--d");
 	argv += optind;
 
 	/* Handle the no-argument case. */
diff --git a/coreutils/tail.c b/coreutils/tail.c
index fd310f422..7335ba11e 100644
--- a/coreutils/tail.c
+++ b/coreutils/tail.c
@@ -140,9 +140,11 @@ int tail_main(int argc, char **argv)
 #endif
 
 	/* -s NUM, -F imlies -f */
-	IF_FEATURE_FANCY_TAIL(opt_complementary = "Ff";)
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "fc:n:" IF_FEATURE_FANCY_TAIL("qs:+vF"),
-			&str_c, &str_n IF_FEATURE_FANCY_TAIL(,&sleep_period));
+	opt = getopt32(argv, IF_FEATURE_FANCY_TAIL("^")
+			"fc:n:"IF_FEATURE_FANCY_TAIL("qs:+vF")
+			IF_FEATURE_FANCY_TAIL("\0" "Ff"),
+			&str_c, &str_n IF_FEATURE_FANCY_TAIL(,&sleep_period)
+	);
 #define FOLLOW (opt & 0x1)
 #define COUNT_BYTES (opt & 0x2)
 	//if (opt & 0x1) // -f
diff --git a/coreutils/tr.c b/coreutils/tr.c
index 64e4efc91..c5872434a 100644
--- a/coreutils/tr.c
+++ b/coreutils/tr.c
@@ -298,8 +298,8 @@ int tr_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	 * In POSIX locale, these are the same.
 	 */
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "+Ccds"); /* '+': stop at first non-option */
+	/* '+': stop at first non-option */
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^+" "Ccds" "\0" "-1");
 	argv += optind;
 
 	str1_length = expand(*argv++, &str1);
diff --git a/coreutils/truncate.c b/coreutils/truncate.c
index f67abaf40..f693570aa 100644
--- a/coreutils/truncate.c
+++ b/coreutils/truncate.c
@@ -50,8 +50,7 @@ int truncate_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		OPT_SIZE = (1 << 1),
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "s:-1";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "cs:", &size_str);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "cs:" "\0" "s:-1", &size_str);
 
 	if (!(opts & OPT_NOCREATE))
 		flags |= O_CREAT;
diff --git a/coreutils/unlink.c b/coreutils/unlink.c
index e32a9743c..56309b1c7 100644
--- a/coreutils/unlink.c
+++ b/coreutils/unlink.c
@@ -25,8 +25,7 @@
 int unlink_main(int argc, char **argv) MAIN_EXTERNALLY_VISIBLE;
 int unlink_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 {
-	opt_complementary = "=1"; /* must have exactly 1 param */
-	getopt32(argv, "");
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "" "\0" "=1");
 	argv += optind;
 	xunlink(argv[0]);
 	return 0;
diff --git a/coreutils/uudecode.c b/coreutils/uudecode.c
index 4e72e86ee..5ef05ee4d 100644
--- a/coreutils/uudecode.c
+++ b/coreutils/uudecode.c
@@ -120,8 +120,7 @@ int uudecode_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	char *outname = NULL;
 	char *line;
 
-	opt_complementary = "?1"; /* 1 argument max */
-	getopt32(argv, "o:", &outname);
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "o:" "\0" "?1"/* 1 arg max*/, &outname);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (!argv[0])
@@ -196,8 +195,7 @@ int base64_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	FILE *src_stream;
 	unsigned opts;
 
-	opt_complementary = "?1"; /* 1 argument max */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "d");
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "d" "\0" "?1"/* 1 arg max*/);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (!argv[0])
diff --git a/coreutils/uuencode.c b/coreutils/uuencode.c
index 7164f838a..d6e077430 100644
--- a/coreutils/uuencode.c
+++ b/coreutils/uuencode.c
@@ -49,8 +49,7 @@ int uuencode_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	tbl = bb_uuenc_tbl_std;
 	mode = 0666 & ~umask(0666);
-	opt_complementary = "-1:?2"; /* must have 1 or 2 args */
-	if (getopt32(argv, "m")) {
+	if (getopt32(argv, "^" "m" "\0" "-1:?2"/*must have 1 or 2 args*/)) {
 		tbl = bb_uuenc_tbl_base64;
 	}
 	argv += optind;
diff --git a/coreutils/who.c b/coreutils/who.c
index 6be3d692e..cfe0c921e 100644
--- a/coreutils/who.c
+++ b/coreutils/who.c
@@ -117,8 +117,7 @@ int who_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned opt;
 	const char *fmt = "%s";
 
-	opt_complementary = "=0";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, do_who ? "aH" : "");
+	opt = getopt32(argv, do_who ? "^" "aH" "\0" "=0": "^" "" "\0" "=0");
 	if ((opt & 2) || do_w) /* -H or we are w */
 		puts("USER\t\tTTY\t\tIDLE\tTIME\t\t HOST");
 
diff --git a/debianutils/run_parts.c b/debianutils/run_parts.c
index b770383c4..e4d61df35 100644
--- a/debianutils/run_parts.c
+++ b/debianutils/run_parts.c
@@ -181,8 +181,9 @@ int run_parts_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	INIT_G();
 
 	/* We require exactly one argument: the directory name */
-	opt_complementary = "=1";
-	GETOPT32(argv, "a:*u:" LONGOPTS, &arg_list, &umask_p);
+	GETOPT32(argv, "^" "a:*u:" "\0" "=1" LONGOPTS,
+			&arg_list, &umask_p
+	);
 
 	umask(xstrtou_range(umask_p, 8, 0, 07777));
 
diff --git a/debianutils/start_stop_daemon.c b/debianutils/start_stop_daemon.c
index 45c277a53..12cf6c3a5 100644
--- a/debianutils/start_stop_daemon.c
+++ b/debianutils/start_stop_daemon.c
@@ -451,15 +451,17 @@ int start_stop_daemon_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	/* -K or -S is required; they are mutually exclusive */
-	/* -p is required if -m is given */
-	/* -xpun (at least one) is required if -K is given */
-	/* -xa (at least one) is required if -S is given */
-	/* -q turns off -v */
-	opt_complementary = "K:S:K--S:S--K:m?p:K?xpun:S?xa"
-		IF_FEATURE_START_STOP_DAEMON_FANCY("q-v");
-	opt = GETOPT32(argv, "KSbqtma:n:s:u:c:x:p:"
-		IF_FEATURE_START_STOP_DAEMON_FANCY("ovN:R:"),
+	opt = GETOPT32(argv, "^"
+		"KSbqtma:n:s:u:c:x:p:"
+		IF_FEATURE_START_STOP_DAEMON_FANCY("ovN:R:")
+			/* -K or -S is required; they are mutually exclusive */
+			/* -p is required if -m is given */
+			/* -xpun (at least one) is required if -K is given */
+			/* -xa (at least one) is required if -S is given */
+			/* -q turns off -v */
+			"\0"
+			"K:S:K--S:S--K:m?p:K?xpun:S?xa"
+			IF_FEATURE_START_STOP_DAEMON_FANCY("q-v"),
 		LONGOPTS
 		&startas, &cmdname, &signame, &userspec, &chuid, &execname, &pidfile
 		IF_FEATURE_START_STOP_DAEMON_FANCY(,&opt_N)
diff --git a/debianutils/which.c b/debianutils/which.c
index b31d61871..3bd54ac42 100644
--- a/debianutils/which.c
+++ b/debianutils/which.c
@@ -37,8 +37,7 @@ int which_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	if (!env_path)
 		env_path = bb_default_root_path;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* at least one argument */
-	getopt32(argv, "a");
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "a" "\0" "-1"/*at least one arg*/);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	do {
diff --git a/e2fsprogs/tune2fs.c b/e2fsprogs/tune2fs.c
index 9f14b26ec..a1caf011c 100644
--- a/e2fsprogs/tune2fs.c
+++ b/e2fsprogs/tune2fs.c
@@ -71,8 +71,7 @@ int tune2fs_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	struct ext2_super_block *sb;
 	int fd;
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "L:c:i:C:", &label, &str_c, &str_i, &str_C);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "L:c:i:C:" "\0" "=1", &label, &str_c, &str_i, &str_C);
 	if (!opts)
 		bb_show_usage();
 	argv += optind; // argv[0] -- device
diff --git a/editors/cmp.c b/editors/cmp.c
index f53d9603c..ec86c0ce2 100644
--- a/editors/cmp.c
+++ b/editors/cmp.c
@@ -36,7 +36,7 @@ static const char fmt_differ[] ALIGN1 = "%s %s differ: char %"OFF_FMT"u, line %u
 // This fmt_l_opt uses gnu-isms.  SUSv3 would be "%.0s%.0s%"OFF_FMT"u %o %o\n"
 static const char fmt_l_opt[] ALIGN1 = "%.0s%.0s%"OFF_FMT"u %3o %3o\n";
 
-static const char opt_chars[] ALIGN1 = "sl";
+#define OPT_STR "sl"
 #define CMP_OPT_s (1<<0)
 #define CMP_OPT_l (1<<1)
 
@@ -52,11 +52,13 @@ int cmp_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned opt;
 	int retval = 0;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			OPT_STR
+			"\0" "-1"
 			IF_DESKTOP(":?4")
 			IF_NOT_DESKTOP(":?2")
-			":l--s:s--l";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, opt_chars);
+			":l--s:s--l"
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	filename1 = *argv;
diff --git a/editors/diff.c b/editors/diff.c
index d90ac8f94..2f254575c 100644
--- a/editors/diff.c
+++ b/editors/diff.c
@@ -984,8 +984,8 @@ int diff_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	INIT_G();
 
 	/* exactly 2 params; collect multiple -L <label>; -U N */
-	opt_complementary = "=2";
-	GETOPT32(argv, "abdiL:*NqrsS:tTU:+wupBE" LONGOPTS,
+	GETOPT32(argv, "^" "abdiL:*NqrsS:tTU:+wupBE" "\0" "=2"
+			LONGOPTS,
 			&L_arg, &s_start, &opt_U_context);
 	argv += optind;
 	while (L_arg)
diff --git a/editors/sed.c b/editors/sed.c
index 1a1098859..f68f44724 100644
--- a/editors/sed.c
+++ b/editors/sed.c
@@ -1507,13 +1507,15 @@ int sed_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	/* do normal option parsing */
 	opt_e = opt_f = NULL;
 	opt_i = NULL;
-	opt_complementary = "nn"; /* count -n */
 	/* -i must be first, to match OPT_in_place definition */
 	/* -E is a synonym of -r:
 	 * GNU sed 4.2.1 mentions it in neither --help
 	 * nor manpage, but does recognize it.
 	 */
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "i::rEne:*f:*", sed_longopts,
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+			"i::rEne:*f:*"
+			"\0" "nn"/*count -n*/,
+			sed_longopts,
 			&opt_i, &opt_e, &opt_f,
 			&G.be_quiet); /* counter for -n */
 	//argc -= optind;
diff --git a/findutils/grep.c b/findutils/grep.c
index 568ab12c2..7c5f73d2f 100644
--- a/findutils/grep.c
+++ b/findutils/grep.c
@@ -107,6 +107,7 @@
 //usage:#define fgrep_trivial_usage NOUSAGE_STR
 //usage:#define fgrep_full_usage ""
 
+/* -e,-f are lists; -m,-A,-B,-C have numeric param */
 #define OPTSTR_GREP \
 	"lnqvscFiHhe:*f:*Lorm:+wx" \
 	IF_FEATURE_GREP_CONTEXT("A:+B:+C:+") \
@@ -686,11 +687,9 @@ int grep_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	/* do normal option parsing */
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_GREP_CONTEXT
-	/* -H unsets -h; -C unsets -A,-B; -e,-f are lists;
-	 * -m,-A,-B,-C have numeric param */
-	opt_complementary = "H-h:C-AB";
+	/* -H unsets -h; -C unsets -A,-B */
 	opts = getopt32(argv,
-		OPTSTR_GREP,
+		"^" OPTSTR_GREP "\0" "H-h:C-AB",
 		&pattern_head, &fopt, &max_matches,
 		&lines_after, &lines_before, &Copt);
 
@@ -716,9 +715,7 @@ int grep_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	}
 #else
 	/* with auto sanity checks */
-	/* -H unsets -h; -c,-q or -l unset -n; -e,-f are lists; -m N */
-	opt_complementary = "H-h:c-n:q-n:l-n:";
-	getopt32(argv, OPTSTR_GREP,
+	getopt32(argv, "^" OPTSTR_GREP "\0" "H-h:c-n:q-n:l-n:", // why trailing ":"?
 		&pattern_head, &fopt, &max_matches);
 #endif
 	invert_search = ((option_mask32 & OPT_v) != 0); /* 0 | 1 */
diff --git a/include/libbb.h b/include/libbb.h
index 64d1f2fcb..2eb1fef33 100644
--- a/include/libbb.h
+++ b/include/libbb.h
@@ -1185,9 +1185,6 @@ void make_all_argv_opts(char **argv) FAST_FUNC;
 char* single_argv(char **argv) FAST_FUNC;
 extern const char *const bb_argv_dash[]; /* { "-", NULL } */
 extern uint32_t option_mask32;
-//TODO: get rid of this global variable. How about a trick where optstring can be
-// "^optchars""\0""complementary" (the leading "^" is an indicator)?
-extern const char *opt_complementary;
 uint32_t getopt32(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, ...) FAST_FUNC;
 # define No_argument "\0"
 # define Required_argument "\001"
diff --git a/libbb/getopt32.c b/libbb/getopt32.c
index b2b4de8cb..f778c6e89 100644
--- a/libbb/getopt32.c
+++ b/libbb/getopt32.c
@@ -96,9 +96,11 @@ getopt32(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, ...)
         env -i ls -d /
         Here we want env to process just the '-i', not the '-d'.
 
- "!"    Report bad option, missing required options,
+ "!"    Report bad options, missing required options,
         inconsistent options with all-ones return value (instead of abort).
 
+ "^"    options string is "^optchars""\0""opt_complementary".
+
 uint32_t
 getopt32long(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, const char *logopts...)
 
@@ -121,7 +123,7 @@ getopt32long(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, const char *logopts...)
         config process and not a required feature.  The current standard
         is to name the config option CONFIG_FEATURE_<applet>_LONG_OPTIONS.
 
-const char *opt_complementary
+opt_complementary - option modifiers.
 
  ":"    The colon (":") is used to separate groups of two or more chars
         and/or groups of chars and special characters (stating some
@@ -132,8 +134,7 @@ const char *opt_complementary
         Their flags will be turned on if the main option is found even
         if they are not specified on the command line.  For example:
 
-        opt_complementary = "abc";
-        flags = getopt32(argv, "abcd")
+        flags = getopt32(argv, "^abcd""\0""abc")
 
         If getopt() finds "-a" on the command line, then
         getopt32's return value will be as if "-a -b -c" were
@@ -146,8 +147,7 @@ const char *opt_complementary
         if w is given more than once, it is "unlimited"
 
         int w_counter = 0; // must be initialized!
-        opt_complementary = "ww";
-        getopt32(argv, "w", &w_counter);
+        getopt32(argv, "^w""\0""ww", &w_counter);
         if (w_counter)
                 width = (w_counter == 1) ? 132 : INT_MAX;
         else
@@ -162,8 +162,9 @@ const char *opt_complementary
 
         llist_t *my_b = NULL;
         int verbose_level = 0;
-        opt_complementary = "vv:b-c:c-b";
-        f = getopt32(argv, "vb:*c", &my_b, &verbose_level);
+        f = getopt32(argv, "^vb:*c"
+			"\0""vv:b-c:c-b"
+			, &my_b, &verbose_level);
         if (f & 2)       // -c after -b unsets -b flag
                 while (my_b) dosomething_with(llist_pop(&my_b));
         if (my_b)        // but llist is stored if -b is specified
@@ -199,7 +200,7 @@ Special characters:
         getopt32 finds -s, then -d is unset or if it finds -d
         then -s is unset.  (Note:  busybox implements the GNU
         "--max-depth" option as "-d".)  To obtain this behavior, you
-        set opt_complementary = "s-d:d-s".  Only one flag value is
+        set opt_complementary to "s-d:d-s".  Only one flag value is
         added to getopt32's return value depending on the
         position of the options on the command line.  If one of the
         two options requires an argument pointer (":" in applet_opts
@@ -207,8 +208,7 @@ Special characters:
 
         char *smax_print_depth;
 
-        opt_complementary = "s-d:d-s:x-x";
-        opt = getopt32(argv, "sd:x", &smax_print_depth);
+        opt = getopt32(argv, "^sd:x""\0""s-d:d-s:x-x", &smax_print_depth);
 
         if (opt & 2)
                 max_print_depth = atoi(smax_print_depth);
@@ -224,7 +224,7 @@ Special characters:
         The cut applet must have only one type of list specified, so
         -b, -c and -f are mutually exclusive and should raise an error
         if specified together.  In this case you must set
-        opt_complementary = "b--cf:c--bf:f--bc".  If two of the
+        opt_complementary to "b--cf:c--bf:f--bc".  If two of the
         mutually exclusive options are found, getopt32 will call
         bb_show_usage() and die.
 
@@ -236,8 +236,7 @@ Special characters:
         with xatoi_positive() - allowed range is 0..INT_MAX.
 
         int param;  // "unsigned param;" will also work
-        opt_complementary = "p+";
-        getopt32(argv, "p:", &param);
+        getopt32(argv, "^p:""\0""p+", &param);
 
  "o::"  A double colon after a char in opt_complementary means that the
         option can occur multiple times. Each occurrence will be saved as
@@ -252,8 +251,7 @@ Special characters:
         (this pointer must be initializated to NULL if the list is empty
         as required by llist_add_to_end(llist_t **old_head, char *new_item).)
 
-        opt_complementary = "e::";
-        getopt32(argv, "e:", &patterns);
+        getopt32(argv, "^e:""\0""e::", &patterns);
 
         $ grep -e user -e root /etc/passwd
         root:x:0:0:root:/root:/bin/bash
@@ -271,8 +269,7 @@ Special characters:
         For example from "id" applet:
 
         // Don't allow -n -r -rn -ug -rug -nug -rnug
-        opt_complementary = "r?ug:n?ug:u--g:g--u";
-        flags = getopt32(argv, "rnug");
+        flags = getopt32(argv, "^rnug""\0""r?ug:n?ug:u--g:g--u");
 
         This example allowed only:
         $ id; id -u; id -g; id -ru; id -nu; id -rg; id -ng; id -rnu; id -rng
@@ -283,8 +280,7 @@ Special characters:
         For example from "start-stop-daemon" applet:
 
         // Don't allow -KS -SK, but -S or -K is required
-        opt_complementary = "K:S:K--S:S--K";
-        flags = getopt32(argv, "KS...);
+        flags = getopt32(argv, "^KS...""\0""K:S:K--S:S--K");
 
 
         Don't forget to use ':'. For example, "?322-22-23X-x-a"
@@ -299,8 +295,6 @@ Special characters:
 
 const char *const bb_argv_dash[] = { "-", NULL };
 
-const char *opt_complementary;
-
 enum {
 	PARAM_STRING,
 	PARAM_LIST,
@@ -337,10 +331,12 @@ vgetopt32(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, const char *applet_long_options,
 	int argc;
 	unsigned flags = 0;
 	unsigned requires = 0;
+	unsigned len;
 	t_complementary complementary[33]; /* last stays zero-filled */
-	char first_char;
+	char dont_die_flag;
 	int c;
 	const unsigned char *s;
+	const char *opt_complementary;
 	t_complementary *on_off;
 #if ENABLE_LONG_OPTS
 	const struct option *l_o;
@@ -349,23 +345,29 @@ vgetopt32(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, const char *applet_long_options,
 	unsigned trigger;
 	int min_arg = 0;
 	int max_arg = -1;
-
-#define SHOW_USAGE_IF_ERROR     1
-
 	int spec_flgs = 0;
 
-	/* skip 0: some applets cheat: they do not actually HAVE argv[0] */
-	argc = 1 + string_array_len(argv + 1);
+#define SHOW_USAGE_IF_ERROR     1
 
 	on_off = complementary;
 	memset(on_off, 0, sizeof(complementary));
 
-	applet_opts = strcpy(alloca(strlen(applet_opts) + 1), applet_opts);
+	len = strlen(applet_opts);
 
 	/* skip bbox extension */
-	first_char = applet_opts[0];
-	if (first_char == '!')
+	opt_complementary = NULL;
+	if (applet_opts[0] == '^') {
 		applet_opts++;
+		/* point it past terminating NUL */
+		opt_complementary = applet_opts + len;
+	}
+
+	/* skip another bbox extension */
+	dont_die_flag = applet_opts[0];
+	if (dont_die_flag == '!')
+		applet_opts++;
+
+	applet_opts = strcpy(alloca(len + 1), applet_opts);
 
 	/* skip GNU extension */
 	s = (const unsigned char *)applet_opts;
@@ -435,7 +437,8 @@ vgetopt32(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, const char *applet_long_options,
 	}
 #endif /* ENABLE_LONG_OPTS */
 
-	for (s = (const unsigned char *)opt_complementary; s && *s; s++) {
+	s = (const unsigned char *)opt_complementary;
+	if (s) for (; *s; s++) {
 		t_complementary *pair;
 		unsigned *pair_switch;
 
@@ -513,8 +516,6 @@ vgetopt32(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, const char *applet_long_options,
 		s--;
 	}
 
-	/* Make it unnecessary to clear it by hand after each getopt32 call */
-	opt_complementary = NULL;
 	/* In case getopt32 was already called:
 	 * reset the libc getopt() function, which keeps internal state.
 	 * run_nofork_applet() does this, but we might end up here
@@ -522,6 +523,9 @@ vgetopt32(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, const char *applet_long_options,
 	 */
 	GETOPT_RESET();
 
+	/* skip 0: some applets cheat: they do not actually HAVE argv[0] */
+	argc = 1 + string_array_len(argv + 1);
+
 	/* Note: just "getopt() <= 0" will not work well for
 	 * "fake" short options, like this one:
 	 * wget $'-\203' "Test: test" http://kernel.org/
@@ -583,7 +587,7 @@ vgetopt32(char **argv, const char *applet_opts, const char *applet_long_options,
 	return flags;
 
  error:
-	if (first_char != '!')
+	if (dont_die_flag != '!')
 		bb_show_usage();
 	return (int32_t)-1;
 }
diff --git a/libbb/parse_config.c b/libbb/parse_config.c
index eaf69d97f..8701b010c 100644
--- a/libbb/parse_config.c
+++ b/libbb/parse_config.c
@@ -42,8 +42,9 @@ int parse_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	int mintokens = 0, ntokens = 128;
 	unsigned noout;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
-	noout = 1 & getopt32(argv, "xn:+m:+d:f:+", &ntokens, &mintokens, &delims, &flags);
+	noout = 1 & getopt32(argv, "^" "xn:+m:+d:f:+" "\0" "-1",
+				&ntokens, &mintokens, &delims, &flags
+	);
 	//argc -= optind;
 	argv += optind;
 
diff --git a/libbb/vfork_daemon_rexec.c b/libbb/vfork_daemon_rexec.c
index 15c92a7cd..6125983ce 100644
--- a/libbb/vfork_daemon_rexec.c
+++ b/libbb/vfork_daemon_rexec.c
@@ -98,7 +98,6 @@ int FAST_FUNC run_nofork_applet(int applet_no, char **argv)
 	 * (getopt32() does it itself, but getopt() doesn't (and can't))
 	 */
 	GETOPT_RESET();
-	/* opt_complementary = NULL; - cleared by each getopt32() call anyway */
 
 	argc = string_array_len(argv);
 
@@ -123,7 +122,6 @@ int FAST_FUNC run_nofork_applet(int applet_no, char **argv)
 	restore_nofork_data(&old);
 	/* Other globals can be simply reset to defaults */
 	GETOPT_RESET();
-	/* opt_complementary = NULL; - cleared by each getopt32() call anyway */
 
 	return rc & 0xff; /* don't confuse people with "exitcodes" >255 */
 }
@@ -138,7 +136,6 @@ void FAST_FUNC run_noexec_applet_and_exit(int a, const char *name, char **argv)
 	xfunc_error_retval = EXIT_FAILURE;
 	die_func = NULL;
 	GETOPT_RESET();
-	/* opt_complementary = NULL; - cleared by each getopt32() call anyway */
 
 //TODO: think pidof, pgrep, pkill!
 //set_task_comm() makes our pidof find NOEXECs (e.g. "yes >/dev/null"),
diff --git a/loginutils/addgroup.c b/loginutils/addgroup.c
index 5a2b04352..adef2328d 100644
--- a/loginutils/addgroup.c
+++ b/loginutils/addgroup.c
@@ -152,11 +152,12 @@ int addgroup_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	}
 	/* Syntax:
 	 *  addgroup group
-	 *  addgroup -g num group
+	 *  addgroup --gid num group
 	 *  addgroup user group
 	 * Check for min, max and missing args */
-	opt_complementary = "-1:?2";
-	opts = getopt32long(argv, "g:S", addgroup_longopts, &gid);
+	opts = getopt32long(argv, "^" "g:S" "\0" "-1:?2", addgroup_longopts,
+				&gid
+	);
 	/* move past the commandline options */
 	argv += optind;
 	//argc -= optind;
diff --git a/loginutils/adduser.c b/loginutils/adduser.c
index 8b92df923..b2b5be5b3 100644
--- a/loginutils/adduser.c
+++ b/loginutils/adduser.c
@@ -201,12 +201,15 @@ int adduser_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	pw.pw_shell = (char *)get_shell_name();
 	pw.pw_dir = NULL;
 
-	/* at least one and at most two non-option args */
-	/* disable interactive passwd for system accounts */
-	opt_complementary = "-1:?2:SD";
-	opts = getopt32long(argv, "h:g:s:G:DSHu:k:", adduser_longopts,
+	opts = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+			"h:g:s:G:DSHu:k:"
+			/* at least one and at most two non-option args */
+			/* disable interactive passwd for system accounts */
+			"\0" "-1:?2:SD",
+			adduser_longopts,
 			&pw.pw_dir, &pw.pw_gecos, &pw.pw_shell,
-			&usegroup, &uid, &skel);
+			&usegroup, &uid, &skel
+	);
 	if (opts & OPT_UID)
 		pw.pw_uid = xatou_range(uid, 0, CONFIG_LAST_ID);
 
diff --git a/loginutils/chpasswd.c b/loginutils/chpasswd.c
index 3c9ed68b9..652e4f127 100644
--- a/loginutils/chpasswd.c
+++ b/loginutils/chpasswd.c
@@ -61,8 +61,10 @@ int chpasswd_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	if (getuid() != 0)
 		bb_error_msg_and_die(bb_msg_perm_denied_are_you_root);
 
-	opt_complementary = "m--ec:e--mc:c--em";
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "emc:", chpasswd_longopts, &algo);
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^" "emc:" "\0" "m--ec:e--mc:c--em",
+			chpasswd_longopts,
+			&algo
+	);
 
 	while ((name = xmalloc_fgetline(stdin)) != NULL) {
 		char *free_me;
diff --git a/loginutils/cryptpw.c b/loginutils/cryptpw.c
index c10a0c8bd..76138a61f 100644
--- a/loginutils/cryptpw.c
+++ b/loginutils/cryptpw.c
@@ -111,9 +111,10 @@ int cryptpw_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	opt_m = CONFIG_FEATURE_DEFAULT_PASSWD_ALGO;
 	opt_S = NULL;
 	/* at most two non-option arguments; -P NUM */
-	opt_complementary = "?2";
-	getopt32long(argv, "sP:+S:m:a:", mkpasswd_longopts,
-			&fd, &opt_S, &opt_m, &opt_m);
+	getopt32long(argv, "^" "sP:+S:m:a:" "\0" "?2",
+			mkpasswd_longopts,
+			&fd, &opt_S, &opt_m, &opt_m
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	/* have no idea how to handle -s... */
diff --git a/loginutils/getty.c b/loginutils/getty.c
index fd5116d08..23e92bc77 100644
--- a/loginutils/getty.c
+++ b/loginutils/getty.c
@@ -131,7 +131,7 @@ struct globals {
 //usage:     "\n"
 //usage:     "\nBAUD_RATE of 0 leaves it unchanged"
 
-static const char opt_string[] ALIGN1 = "I:LH:f:hil:mt:+wn";
+#define OPT_STR "I:LH:f:hil:mt:+wn"
 #define F_INITSTRING    (1 << 0)   /* -I */
 #define F_LOCAL         (1 << 1)   /* -L */
 #define F_FAKEHOST      (1 << 2)   /* -H */
@@ -179,8 +179,7 @@ static void parse_args(char **argv)
 	char *ts;
 	int flags;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-2"; /* at least 2 args; -t N */
-	flags = getopt32(argv, opt_string,
+	flags = getopt32(argv, "^" OPT_STR "\0" "-2"/* at least 2 args*/,
 		&G.initstring, &G.fakehost, &G.issue,
 		&G.login, &G.timeout
 	);
diff --git a/loginutils/vlock.c b/loginutils/vlock.c
index bf46d085c..9e319fe61 100644
--- a/loginutils/vlock.c
+++ b/loginutils/vlock.c
@@ -66,8 +66,7 @@ int vlock_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	struct passwd *pw;
 
 	pw = xgetpwuid(getuid());
-	opt_complementary = "=0"; /* no params! */
-	getopt32(argv, "a");
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "a" "\0" "=0"/* no args!*/);
 
 	/* Ignore some signals so that we don't get killed by them */
 	bb_signals(0
diff --git a/mailutils/popmaildir.c b/mailutils/popmaildir.c
index 1695a9bb8..5756eaa76 100644
--- a/mailutils/popmaildir.c
+++ b/mailutils/popmaildir.c
@@ -125,9 +125,9 @@ int popmaildir_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	INIT_G();
 
 	// parse options
-	opt_complementary = "-1:dd";
-	opts = getopt32(argv,
-		"bdmVcasTkt:+" "R:+Z:L:+H:+" IF_FEATURE_POPMAILDIR_DELIVERY("M:F:"),
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"bdmVcasTkt:+" "R:+Z:L:+H:+" IF_FEATURE_POPMAILDIR_DELIVERY("M:F:")
+		"\0" "-1:dd",
 		&timeout, NULL, NULL, NULL, &opt_nlines
 		IF_FEATURE_POPMAILDIR_DELIVERY(, &delivery, &delivery) // we treat -M and -F the same
 	);
diff --git a/mailutils/reformime.c b/mailutils/reformime.c
index 6a0254803..321729e0a 100644
--- a/mailutils/reformime.c
+++ b/mailutils/reformime.c
@@ -280,9 +280,9 @@ int reformime_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	// parse options
 	// N.B. only -x and -X are supported so far
-	opt_complementary = "x--X:X--x";
-	opts = getopt32(argv,
-		"x:X" IF_FEATURE_REFORMIME_COMPAT("deis:r:c:m:*h:o:O:"),
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"x:X" IF_FEATURE_REFORMIME_COMPAT("deis:r:c:m:*h:o:O:")
+		"\0" "x--X:X--x",
 		&opt_prefix
 		IF_FEATURE_REFORMIME_COMPAT(, NULL, NULL, &G.opt_charset, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL)
 	);
diff --git a/mailutils/sendmail.c b/mailutils/sendmail.c
index 65895f0ec..f440e6319 100644
--- a/mailutils/sendmail.c
+++ b/mailutils/sendmail.c
@@ -256,13 +256,17 @@ int sendmail_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	G.fp0 = xfdopen_for_read(3);
 
 	// parse options
-	// -v is a counter, -H and -S are mutually exclusive, -a is a list
-	opt_complementary = "vv:H--S:S--H";
 	// N.B. since -H and -S are mutually exclusive they do not interfere in opt_connect
 	// -a is for ssmtp (http://downloads.openwrt.org/people/nico/man/man8/ssmtp.8.html) compatibility,
 	// it is still under development.
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "tf:o:iw:+H:S:a:*:v", &opt_from, NULL,
-			&timeout, &opt_connect, &opt_connect, &list, &verbose);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"tf:o:iw:+H:S:a:*:v"
+			"\0"
+			// -v is a counter, -H and -S are mutually exclusive, -a is a list
+			"vv:H--S:S--H",
+			&opt_from, NULL,
+			&timeout, &opt_connect, &opt_connect, &list, &verbose
+	);
 	//argc -= optind;
 	argv += optind;
 
diff --git a/miscutils/adjtimex.c b/miscutils/adjtimex.c
index ce6f8ccd8..c1718e909 100644
--- a/miscutils/adjtimex.c
+++ b/miscutils/adjtimex.c
@@ -95,9 +95,10 @@ int adjtimex_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	memset(&txc, 0, sizeof(txc));
 
-	opt_complementary = "=0"; /* no valid non-option parameters */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "qo:f:p:t:",
-			&opt_o, &opt_f, &opt_p, &opt_t);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "qo:f:p:t:"
+			"\0" "=0"/*no valid non-option args*/,
+			&opt_o, &opt_f, &opt_p, &opt_t
+	);
 	//if (opt & 0x1) // -q
 	if (opt & 0x2) { // -o
 		txc.offset = xatol(opt_o);
diff --git a/miscutils/crond.c b/miscutils/crond.c
index 48e429976..f6580a9d4 100644
--- a/miscutils/crond.c
+++ b/miscutils/crond.c
@@ -1021,13 +1021,17 @@ int crond_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	/* "-b after -f is ignored", and so on for every pair a-b */
-	opt_complementary = "f-b:b-f:S-L:L-S" IF_FEATURE_CROND_D(":d-l")
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"l:L:fbSc:" IF_FEATURE_CROND_D("d:")
+			"\0"
+			/* "-b after -f is ignored", and so on for every pair a-b */
+			"f-b:b-f:S-L:L-S" IF_FEATURE_CROND_D(":d-l")
 			/* -l and -d have numeric param */
-			":l+" IF_FEATURE_CROND_D(":d+");
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "l:L:fbSc:" IF_FEATURE_CROND_D("d:"),
+			":l+" IF_FEATURE_CROND_D(":d+")
+			,
 			&G.log_level, &G.log_filename, &G.crontab_dir_name
-			IF_FEATURE_CROND_D(,&G.log_level));
+			IF_FEATURE_CROND_D(,&G.log_level)
+	);
 	/* both -d N and -l N set the same variable: G.log_level */
 
 	if (!(opts & OPT_f)) {
diff --git a/miscutils/crontab.c b/miscutils/crontab.c
index 804cb57f2..4787fa08f 100644
--- a/miscutils/crontab.c
+++ b/miscutils/crontab.c
@@ -99,8 +99,9 @@ int crontab_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		OPT_ler = OPT_l + OPT_e + OPT_r,
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "?1:dr"; /* max one argument; -d implies -r */
-	opt_ler = getopt32(argv, "u:c:lerd", &user_name, &crontab_dir);
+	opt_ler = getopt32(argv, "^" "u:c:lerd" "\0" "?1:dr"/*max one arg; -d implies -r*/,
+				&user_name, &crontab_dir
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (sanitize_env_if_suid()) { /* Clears dangerous stuff, sets PATH */
diff --git a/miscutils/flash_eraseall.c b/miscutils/flash_eraseall.c
index 3ddd9dd99..a6ce41f27 100644
--- a/miscutils/flash_eraseall.c
+++ b/miscutils/flash_eraseall.c
@@ -82,8 +82,7 @@ int flash_eraseall_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned int flags;
 	char *mtd_name;
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1";
-	flags = getopt32(argv, "jNq");
+	flags = getopt32(argv, "^" "jNq" "\0" "=1");
 
 	mtd_name = argv[optind];
 	fd = xopen(mtd_name, O_RDWR);
diff --git a/miscutils/flashcp.c b/miscutils/flashcp.c
index c10b96ee8..858cee194 100644
--- a/miscutils/flashcp.c
+++ b/miscutils/flashcp.c
@@ -69,8 +69,7 @@ int flashcp_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	RESERVE_CONFIG_UBUFFER(buf, BUFSIZE);
 	RESERVE_CONFIG_UBUFFER(buf2, BUFSIZE);
 
-	opt_complementary = "=2"; /* exactly 2 non-option args: file, dev */
-	/*opts =*/ getopt32(argv, "v");
+	/*opts =*/ getopt32(argv, "^" "v" "\0" "=2"/*exactly 2 non-option args: file,dev*/);
 	argv += optind;
 //	filename = *argv++;
 //	devicename = *argv;
diff --git a/miscutils/i2c_tools.c b/miscutils/i2c_tools.c
index 8d04d2259..30f606e8e 100644
--- a/miscutils/i2c_tools.c
+++ b/miscutils/i2c_tools.c
@@ -455,14 +455,12 @@ int i2cget_main(int argc, char **argv) MAIN_EXTERNALLY_VISIBLE;
 int i2cget_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 {
 	const unsigned opt_f = (1 << 0), opt_y = (1 << 1);
-	const char *const optstr = "fy";
 
 	int bus_num, bus_addr, data_addr = -1, status;
 	int mode = I2C_SMBUS_BYTE, pec = 0, fd;
 	unsigned opts;
 
-        opt_complementary = "-2:?4"; /* from 2 to 4 args */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, optstr);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "fy" "\0" "-2:?4"/*from 2 to 4 args*/);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	bus_num = i2c_bus_lookup(argv[0]);
@@ -544,7 +542,6 @@ int i2cset_main(int argc, char **argv)
 {
 	const unsigned opt_f = (1 << 0), opt_y = (1 << 1),
 			      opt_m = (1 << 2), opt_r = (1 << 3);
-	const char *const optstr = "fym:r";
 
 	int bus_num, bus_addr, data_addr, mode = I2C_SMBUS_BYTE, pec = 0;
 	int val, blen = 0, mask = 0, fd, status;
@@ -552,8 +549,7 @@ int i2cset_main(int argc, char **argv)
 	char *opt_m_arg = NULL;
 	unsigned opts;
 
-        opt_complementary = "-3"; /* from 3 to ? args */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, optstr, &opt_m_arg);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "fym:r" "\0" "-3"/*from 3 to ? args*/, &opt_m_arg);
 	argv += optind;
 	argc -= optind;
 
@@ -905,7 +901,6 @@ int i2cdump_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 {
 	const unsigned opt_f = (1 << 0), opt_y = (1 << 1),
 			      opt_r = (1 << 2);
-	const char *const optstr = "fyr:";
 
 	int bus_num, bus_addr, mode = I2C_SMBUS_BYTE_DATA, even = 0, pec = 0;
 	unsigned first = 0x00, last = 0xff, opts;
@@ -913,8 +908,11 @@ int i2cdump_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	char *opt_r_str, *dash;
 	int fd, res;
 
-        opt_complementary = "-2:?3"; /* from 2 to 3 args */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, optstr, &opt_r_str);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"fyr:"
+		"\0" "-2:?3" /* from 2 to 3 args */,
+		&opt_r_str
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	bus_num = i2c_bus_lookup(argv[0]);
@@ -1208,15 +1206,16 @@ int i2cdetect_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	const unsigned opt_y = (1 << 0), opt_a = (1 << 1),
 			      opt_q = (1 << 2), opt_r = (1 << 3),
 			      opt_F = (1 << 4), opt_l = (1 << 5);
-	const char *const optstr = "yaqrFl";
 
 	int fd, bus_num, i, j, mode = I2CDETECT_MODE_AUTO, status, cmd;
 	unsigned first = 0x03, last = 0x77, opts;
 	unsigned long funcs;
 
-	opt_complementary = "q--r:r--q:" /* mutually exclusive */
-			"?3"; /* up to 3 args */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, optstr);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"yaqrFl"
+			"\0"
+			"q--r:r--q:"/*mutually exclusive*/ "?3"/*up to 3 args*/
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (opts & opt_l)
diff --git a/miscutils/makedevs.c b/miscutils/makedevs.c
index c13ad1442..80975c652 100644
--- a/miscutils/makedevs.c
+++ b/miscutils/makedevs.c
@@ -183,8 +183,7 @@ int makedevs_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	char *line = (char *)"-";
 	int ret = EXIT_SUCCESS;
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1"; /* exactly one param */
-	getopt32(argv, "d:", &line);
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "d:" "\0" "=1", &line);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	xchdir(*argv); /* ensure root dir exists */
diff --git a/miscutils/man.c b/miscutils/man.c
index a16202f25..ba6bb4c01 100644
--- a/miscutils/man.c
+++ b/miscutils/man.c
@@ -253,8 +253,7 @@ int man_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* at least one argument */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "+aw");
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^+" "aw" "\0" "-1"/*at least one arg*/);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	sec_list = xstrdup("0p:1:1p:2:3:3p:4:5:6:7:8:9");
diff --git a/miscutils/microcom.c b/miscutils/microcom.c
index f382edebb..b87f3273f 100644
--- a/miscutils/microcom.c
+++ b/miscutils/microcom.c
@@ -74,8 +74,9 @@ int microcom_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned opts;
 
 	// fetch options
-	opt_complementary = "=1";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "Xs:+d:+t:+", &speed, &delay, &timeout);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "Xs:+d:+t:+" "\0" "=1",
+				&speed, &delay, &timeout
+	);
 //	argc -= optind;
 	argv += optind;
 
diff --git a/miscutils/nandwrite.c b/miscutils/nandwrite.c
index 5986ab272..80a005821 100644
--- a/miscutils/nandwrite.c
+++ b/miscutils/nandwrite.c
@@ -123,13 +123,12 @@ int nandwrite_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	const char *opt_s = "0", *opt_f = "-", *opt_l, *opt_bb;
 
 	if (IS_NANDDUMP) {
-		opt_complementary = "=1";
-		opts = getopt32long(argv, "ons:f:l:",
+		opts = getopt32long(argv, "^" "ons:f:l:" "\0" "=1",
 				"bb\0" Required_argument "\xff", /* no short equivalent */
-				&opt_s, &opt_f, &opt_l, &opt_bb);
+				&opt_s, &opt_f, &opt_l, &opt_bb
+		);
 	} else { /* nandwrite */
-		opt_complementary = "-1:?2";
-		opts = getopt32(argv, "pns:", &opt_s);
+		opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "pns:" "\0" "-1:?2", &opt_s);
 	}
 	argv += optind;
 
diff --git a/miscutils/setserial.c b/miscutils/setserial.c
index 2000de7b1..f217c3beb 100644
--- a/miscutils/setserial.c
+++ b/miscutils/setserial.c
@@ -742,8 +742,7 @@ int setserial_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 {
 	int opts;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1:b-aG:G-ab:a-bG";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "bGavzgq");
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "bGavzgq" "\0" "-1:b-aG:G-ab:a-bG");
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (!argv[1]) /* one arg only? (nothing to change?) */
diff --git a/miscutils/time.c b/miscutils/time.c
index 0ecdac1a6..65dbcdcf3 100644
--- a/miscutils/time.c
+++ b/miscutils/time.c
@@ -430,9 +430,10 @@ int time_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		OPT_f = (1 << 4),
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* at least one arg */
 	/* "+": stop on first non-option */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "+vpao:f:", &output_filename, &output_format);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^+" "vpao:f:" "\0" "-1"/*at least one arg*/,
+				&output_filename, &output_format
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 	if (opt & OPT_v)
 		output_format = long_format;
diff --git a/miscutils/ubi_tools.c b/miscutils/ubi_tools.c
index 123551e94..d142d1144 100644
--- a/miscutils/ubi_tools.c
+++ b/miscutils/ubi_tools.c
@@ -145,20 +145,17 @@ int ubi_tools_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #define OPTION_a  (1 << 5)
 #define OPTION_t  (1 << 6)
 	if (do_mkvol) {
-		opt_complementary = "-1";
-		opts = getopt32(argv, "md:+n:+N:s:a:+t:O:+",
+		opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "md:+n:+N:s:a:+t:O:+" "\0" "-1",
 				&dev_num, &vol_id,
 				&vol_name, &size_bytes_str, &alignment, &type,
 				&vid_hdr_offset
 			);
 	} else
 	if (do_update) {
-		opt_complementary = "-1";
-		opts = getopt32(argv, "s:at", &size_bytes_str);
+		opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "s:at" "\0" "-1", &size_bytes_str);
 		opts *= OPTION_s;
 	} else {
-		opt_complementary = "-1";
-		opts = getopt32(argv, "m:+d:+n:+N:s:a:+t:",
+		opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "m:+d:+n:+N:s:a:+t:" "\0" "-1",
 				&mtd_num, &dev_num, &vol_id,
 				&vol_name, &size_bytes_str, &alignment, &type
 		);
diff --git a/miscutils/watchdog.c b/miscutils/watchdog.c
index ec06bcb51..392d05646 100644
--- a/miscutils/watchdog.c
+++ b/miscutils/watchdog.c
@@ -101,8 +101,9 @@ int watchdog_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	char *st_arg;
 	char *ht_arg;
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1"; /* must have exactly 1 argument */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "Ft:T:", &st_arg, &ht_arg);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "Ft:T:" "\0" "=1"/*must have exactly 1 arg*/,
+				&st_arg, &ht_arg
+	);
 
 	/* We need to daemonize *before* opening the watchdog as many drivers
 	 * will only allow one process at a time to do so.  Since daemonizing
diff --git a/modutils/modinfo.c b/modutils/modinfo.c
index 0f1d3ee47..3f91622a9 100644
--- a/modutils/modinfo.c
+++ b/modutils/modinfo.c
@@ -148,8 +148,7 @@ int modinfo_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned i;
 
 	field = NULL;
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* minimum one param */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "0F:nadlp", &field);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "0F:nadlp" "\0" "-1"/*minimum one arg*/, &field);
 	/* If no field selected, show all */
 	if (!(opts & (OPT_TAGS|OPT_F)))
 		option_mask32 |= OPT_TAGS;
diff --git a/modutils/modprobe-small.c b/modutils/modprobe-small.c
index cd4f554f3..a94b0b9a6 100644
--- a/modutils/modprobe-small.c
+++ b/modutils/modprobe-small.c
@@ -988,10 +988,9 @@ int modprobe_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 #if ENABLE_MODPROBE || ENABLE_INSMOD || ENABLE_RMMOD
 	/* modprobe, insmod, rmmod require at least one argument */
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
 	/* only -q (quiet) and -r (rmmod),
 	 * the rest are accepted and ignored (compat) */
-	getopt32(argv, "qrfsvwb");
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "qrfsvwb" "\0" "-1");
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (is_modprobe) {
diff --git a/modutils/modprobe.c b/modutils/modprobe.c
index 2dac8a895..59f6d54f3 100644
--- a/modutils/modprobe.c
+++ b/modutils/modprobe.c
@@ -133,7 +133,7 @@
  */
 #define MODPROBE_OPTS  "alrDb"
 /* -a and -D _are_ in fact compatible */
-#define MODPROBE_COMPLEMENTARY ("q-v:v-q:l--arD:r--alD:a--lr:D--rl")
+#define MODPROBE_COMPLEMENTARY "q-v:v-q:l--arD:r--alD:a--lr:D--rl"
 //#define MODPROBE_OPTS  "acd:lnrt:C:b"
 //#define MODPROBE_COMPLEMENTARY "q-v:v-q:l--acr:a--lr:r--al"
 enum {
@@ -566,8 +566,10 @@ int modprobe_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	opt_complementary = MODPROBE_COMPLEMENTARY;
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, INSMOD_OPTS MODPROBE_OPTS, modprobe_longopts INSMOD_ARGS);
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^" INSMOD_OPTS MODPROBE_OPTS "\0" MODPROBE_COMPLEMENTARY,
+			modprobe_longopts
+			INSMOD_ARGS
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	/* Goto modules location */
diff --git a/networking/arping.c b/networking/arping.c
index 3fd54a287..f9967d81e 100644
--- a/networking/arping.c
+++ b/networking/arping.c
@@ -306,9 +306,9 @@ int arping_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		/* Dad also sets quit_on_reply.
 		 * Advert also sets unsolicited.
 		 */
-		opt_complementary = "=1:Df:AU";
-		opt = getopt32(argv, "DUAqfbc:+w:I:s:",
-				&count, &str_timeout, &device, &source);
+		opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "DUAqfbc:+w:I:s:" "\0" "=1:Df:AU",
+				&count, &str_timeout, &device, &source
+		);
 		if (opt & 0x80) /* -w: timeout */
 			timeout_us = xatou_range(str_timeout, 0, INT_MAX/2000000) * 1000000 + 500000;
 		//if (opt & 0x200) /* -s: source */
diff --git a/networking/ether-wake.c b/networking/ether-wake.c
index 52522e76d..6677f07d5 100644
--- a/networking/ether-wake.c
+++ b/networking/ether-wake.c
@@ -212,8 +212,7 @@ int ether_wake_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	struct whereto_t whereto;  /* who to wake up */
 
 	/* handle misc user options */
-	opt_complementary = "=1";
-	flags = getopt32(argv, "bi:p:", &ifname, &pass);
+	flags = getopt32(argv, "^" "bi:p:" "\0" "=1", &ifname, &pass);
 	if (flags & 4) /* -p */
 		wol_passwd_sz = get_wol_pw(pass, wol_passwd);
 	flags &= 1; /* we further interested only in -b [bcast] flag */
diff --git a/networking/ftpd.c b/networking/ftpd.c
index c562c2886..8af5acac2 100644
--- a/networking/ftpd.c
+++ b/networking/ftpd.c
@@ -1174,17 +1174,20 @@ int ftpd_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	abs_timeout = 1 * 60 * 60;
 	verbose_S = 0;
 	G.timeout = 2 * 60;
-	opt_complementary = "vv:SS";
 #if BB_MMU
-	opts = getopt32(argv,    "vS"
-		IF_FEATURE_FTPD_WRITE("w") "t:+T:+" IF_FEATURE_FTPD_AUTHENTICATION("a:"),
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"    "vS"
+		IF_FEATURE_FTPD_WRITE("w") "t:+T:+" IF_FEATURE_FTPD_AUTHENTICATION("a:")
+		"\0" "vv:SS",
 		&G.timeout, &abs_timeout, IF_FEATURE_FTPD_AUTHENTICATION(&anon_opt,)
-		&G.verbose, &verbose_S);
+		&G.verbose, &verbose_S
+	);
 #else
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "l1AvS"
-		IF_FEATURE_FTPD_WRITE("w") "t:+T:+" IF_FEATURE_FTPD_AUTHENTICATION("a:"),
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "l1AvS"
+		IF_FEATURE_FTPD_WRITE("w") "t:+T:+" IF_FEATURE_FTPD_AUTHENTICATION("a:")
+		"\0" "vv:SS",
 		&G.timeout, &abs_timeout, IF_FEATURE_FTPD_AUTHENTICATION(&anon_opt,)
-		&G.verbose, &verbose_S);
+		&G.verbose, &verbose_S
+	);
 	if (opts & (OPT_l|OPT_1)) {
 		/* Our secret backdoor to ls */
 		if (fchdir(3) != 0)
diff --git a/networking/ftpgetput.c b/networking/ftpgetput.c
index 1fc20364f..2cce07ac2 100644
--- a/networking/ftpgetput.c
+++ b/networking/ftpgetput.c
@@ -361,11 +361,12 @@ int ftpgetput_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	/*
 	 * Decipher the command line
 	 */
-	opt_complementary = "-2:vv:cc"; /* must have 2 to 3 params; -v and -c count */
+	/* must have 2 to 3 params; -v and -c count */
+#define OPTSTRING "^cvu:p:P:" "\0" "-2:?3:vv:cc"
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_FTPGETPUT_LONG_OPTIONS
-	getopt32long(argv, "cvu:p:P:", ftpgetput_longopts,
+	getopt32long(argv, OPTSTRING, ftpgetput_longopts,
 #else
-	getopt32(argv, "cvu:p:P:",
+	getopt32(argv, OPTSTRING,
 #endif
 			&user, &password, &port, &verbose_flag, &do_continue
 	);
diff --git a/networking/httpd.c b/networking/httpd.c
index 079145757..9369de824 100644
--- a/networking/httpd.c
+++ b/networking/httpd.c
@@ -2636,17 +2636,19 @@ int httpd_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #endif
 
 	home_httpd = xrealloc_getcwd_or_warn(NULL);
-	/* -v counts, -i implies -f */
-	opt_complementary = "vv:if";
 	/* We do not "absolutize" path given by -h (home) opt.
 	 * If user gives relative path in -h,
 	 * $SCRIPT_FILENAME will not be set. */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "c:d:h:"
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"c:d:h:"
 			IF_FEATURE_HTTPD_ENCODE_URL_STR("e:")
 			IF_FEATURE_HTTPD_BASIC_AUTH("r:")
 			IF_FEATURE_HTTPD_AUTH_MD5("m:")
 			IF_FEATURE_HTTPD_SETUID("u:")
-			"p:ifv",
+			"p:ifv"
+			"\0"
+			/* -v counts, -i implies -f */
+			"vv:if",
 			&opt_c_configFile, &url_for_decode, &home_httpd
 			IF_FEATURE_HTTPD_ENCODE_URL_STR(, &url_for_encode)
 			IF_FEATURE_HTTPD_BASIC_AUTH(, &g_realm)
diff --git a/networking/ipcalc.c b/networking/ipcalc.c
index 1d5db969c..cdae8eea8 100644
--- a/networking/ipcalc.c
+++ b/networking/ipcalc.c
@@ -130,8 +130,11 @@ int ipcalc_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #define ipaddr    (s_ipaddr.s_addr)
 	char *ipstr;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1:?2"; /* minimum 1 arg, maximum 2 args */
-	opt = GETOPT32(argv, "mbn" IF_FEATURE_IPCALC_FANCY("phs") LONGOPTS);
+	opt = GETOPT32(argv, "^"
+			"mbn" IF_FEATURE_IPCALC_FANCY("phs")
+			"\0" "-1:?2"/*min 1, max 2 args*/
+			LONGOPTS
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 	if (opt & SILENT)
 		logmode = LOGMODE_NONE; /* suppress error_msg() output */
diff --git a/networking/nc_bloaty.c b/networking/nc_bloaty.c
index 3db784982..64098648a 100644
--- a/networking/nc_bloaty.c
+++ b/networking/nc_bloaty.c
@@ -787,11 +787,15 @@ int nc_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
  e_found:
 
 	// -g -G -t -r deleted, unimplemented -a deleted too
-	opt_complementary = "?2:vv:ll"; /* max 2 params; -v and -l are counters; -w N */
-	getopt32(argv, "np:s:uvw:+" IF_NC_SERVER("lk")
-			IF_NC_EXTRA("i:o:z"),
-			&str_p, &str_s, &o_wait
-			IF_NC_EXTRA(, &str_i, &str_o), &o_verbose IF_NC_SERVER(, &cnt_l));
+	getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"np:s:uvw:+"/* -w N */ IF_NC_SERVER("lk")
+		IF_NC_EXTRA("i:o:z")
+			"\0"
+			"?2:vv:ll", /* max 2 params; -v and -l are counters */
+		&str_p, &str_s, &o_wait
+		IF_NC_EXTRA(, &str_i, &str_o)
+			, &o_verbose IF_NC_SERVER(, &cnt_l)
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 #if ENABLE_NC_EXTRA
 	if (option_mask32 & OPT_i) /* line-interval time */
diff --git a/networking/ntpd.c b/networking/ntpd.c
index f21f9513d..25fa44389 100644
--- a/networking/ntpd.c
+++ b/networking/ntpd.c
@@ -2230,15 +2230,16 @@ static NOINLINE void ntp_init(char **argv)
 
 	/* Parse options */
 	peers = NULL;
-	opt_complementary = "dd:wn"  /* -d: counter; -p: list; -w implies -n */
-		IF_FEATURE_NTPD_SERVER(":Il"); /* -I implies -l */
-	opts = getopt32(argv,
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
 			"nqNx" /* compat */
 			"wp:*S:"IF_FEATURE_NTPD_SERVER("l") /* NOT compat */
 			IF_FEATURE_NTPD_SERVER("I:") /* compat */
 			"d" /* compat */
 			"46aAbgL", /* compat, ignored */
-			&peers, &G.script_name,
+				"\0"
+				"dd:wn"  /* -d: counter; -p: list; -w implies -n */
+				IF_FEATURE_NTPD_SERVER(":Il") /* -I implies -l */
+			, &peers, &G.script_name,
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_NTPD_SERVER
 			&G.if_name,
 #endif
diff --git a/networking/ping.c b/networking/ping.c
index 2e8bef023..7460e4414 100644
--- a/networking/ping.c
+++ b/networking/ping.c
@@ -340,7 +340,8 @@ static int common_ping_main(sa_family_t af, char **argv)
 
 /* Full(er) version */
 
-#define OPT_STRING ("qvc:+s:t:+w:+W:+I:np:4" IF_PING6("6"))
+/* -c NUM, -t NUM, -w NUM, -W NUM */
+#define OPT_STRING "qvc:+s:t:+w:+W:+I:np:4"IF_PING6("6")
 enum {
 	OPT_QUIET = 1 << 0,
 	OPT_VERBOSE = 1 << 1,
@@ -863,9 +864,12 @@ static int common_ping_main(int opt, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	/* exactly one argument needed; -v and -q don't mix; -c NUM, -t NUM, -w NUM, -W NUM */
-	opt_complementary = "=1:q--v:v--q";
-	opt |= getopt32(argv, OPT_STRING, &pingcount, &str_s, &opt_ttl, &deadline, &timeout, &str_I, &str_p);
+	opt |= getopt32(argv, "^"
+			OPT_STRING
+			/* exactly one arg; -v and -q don't mix */
+			"\0" "=1:q--v:v--q",
+			&pingcount, &str_s, &opt_ttl, &deadline, &timeout, &str_I, &str_p
+	);
 	if (opt & OPT_s)
 		datalen = xatou16(str_s); // -s
 	if (opt & OPT_I) { // -I
diff --git a/networking/pscan.c b/networking/pscan.c
index 17985d2c8..95b0a937d 100644
--- a/networking/pscan.c
+++ b/networking/pscan.c
@@ -75,8 +75,11 @@ int pscan_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned rtt_4;
 	unsigned start, diff;
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1"; /* exactly one non-option */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "cbp:P:t:T:", &opt_min_port, &opt_max_port, &opt_timeout, &opt_min_rtt);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"cbp:P:t:T:"
+		"\0" "=1", /* exactly one non-option */
+		&opt_min_port, &opt_max_port, &opt_timeout, &opt_min_rtt
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 	max_port = xatou_range(opt_max_port, 1, 65535);
 	port = xatou_range(opt_min_port, 1, max_port);
diff --git a/networking/slattach.c b/networking/slattach.c
index d4659a314..e0a388926 100644
--- a/networking/slattach.c
+++ b/networking/slattach.c
@@ -128,8 +128,9 @@ int slattach_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	INIT_G();
 
 	/* Parse command line options */
-	opt_complementary = "=1";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "p:s:c:ehmLF", &proto, &baud_str, &extcmd);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "p:s:c:ehmLF" "\0" "=1",
+				&proto, &baud_str, &extcmd
+	);
 	/*argc -= optind;*/
 	argv += optind;
 
diff --git a/networking/tcpudp.c b/networking/tcpudp.c
index 270325164..d4c69e0f7 100644
--- a/networking/tcpudp.c
+++ b/networking/tcpudp.c
@@ -269,10 +269,11 @@ int tcpudpsvd_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	tcp = (applet_name[0] == 't');
 
-	/* 3+ args, -i at most once, -p implies -h, -v is counter, -b N, -c N */
-	opt_complementary = "-3:i--i:ph:vv";
 #ifdef SSLSVD
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "+c:+C:i:x:u:l:Eb:+hpt:vU:/:Z:K:",
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^+"
+		"c:+C:i:x:u:l:Eb:+hpt:vU:/:Z:K:" /* -c NUM, -b NUM */
+		/* 3+ args, -i at most once, -p implies -h, -v is a counter */
+		"\0" "-3:i--i:ph:vv",
 		&cmax, &str_C, &instructs, &instructs, &user, &preset_local_hostname,
 		&backlog, &str_t, &ssluser, &root, &cert, &key, &verbose
 	);
diff --git a/networking/telnetd.c b/networking/telnetd.c
index 16c572e8d..a6bafa21d 100644
--- a/networking/telnetd.c
+++ b/networking/telnetd.c
@@ -659,13 +659,15 @@ int telnetd_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #endif
 	INIT_G();
 
-	/* -w NUM, and implies -F. -w and -i don't mix */
-	IF_FEATURE_TELNETD_INETD_WAIT(opt_complementary = "wF:i--w:w--i";)
 	/* Even if !STANDALONE, we accept (and ignore) -i, thus people
 	 * don't need to guess whether it's ok to pass -i to us */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "f:l:Ki"
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"f:l:Ki"
 			IF_FEATURE_TELNETD_STANDALONE("p:b:F")
-			IF_FEATURE_TELNETD_INETD_WAIT("Sw:+"),
+			IF_FEATURE_TELNETD_INETD_WAIT("Sw:+") /* -w NUM */
+			"\0"
+			/* -w implies -F. -w and -i don't mix */
+			IF_FEATURE_TELNETD_INETD_WAIT("wF:i--w:w--i"),
 			&G.issuefile, &G.loginpath
 			IF_FEATURE_TELNETD_STANDALONE(, &opt_portnbr, &opt_bindaddr)
 			IF_FEATURE_TELNETD_INETD_WAIT(, &sec_linger)
diff --git a/networking/tftp.c b/networking/tftp.c
index 5baa80448..73a9829aa 100644
--- a/networking/tftp.c
+++ b/networking/tftp.c
@@ -761,15 +761,16 @@ int tftp_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	/* -p or -g is mandatory, and they are mutually exclusive */
-	opt_complementary = "" IF_FEATURE_TFTP_GET("g:") IF_FEATURE_TFTP_PUT("p:")
-			IF_GETPUT("g--p:p--g:");
-
-	IF_GETPUT(opt =) getopt32(argv,
+	IF_GETPUT(opt =) getopt32(argv, "^"
 			IF_FEATURE_TFTP_GET("g") IF_FEATURE_TFTP_PUT("p")
-				"l:r:" IF_FEATURE_TFTP_BLOCKSIZE("b:"),
+			"l:r:" IF_FEATURE_TFTP_BLOCKSIZE("b:")
+			"\0"
+			/* -p or -g is mandatory, and they are mutually exclusive */
+			IF_FEATURE_TFTP_GET("g:") IF_FEATURE_TFTP_PUT("p:")
+			IF_GETPUT("g--p:p--g:"),
 			&local_file, &remote_file
-			IF_FEATURE_TFTP_BLOCKSIZE(, &blksize_str));
+			IF_FEATURE_TFTP_BLOCKSIZE(, &blksize_str)
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 # if ENABLE_FEATURE_TFTP_BLOCKSIZE
diff --git a/networking/traceroute.c b/networking/traceroute.c
index d9c62f7f9..8b6247482 100644
--- a/networking/traceroute.c
+++ b/networking/traceroute.c
@@ -833,9 +833,9 @@ common_traceroute_main(int op, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	/* minimum 1 arg */
-	opt_complementary = "-1:x-x";
-	op |= getopt32(argv, OPT_STRING
+	op |= getopt32(argv, "^"
+		OPT_STRING
+		"\0" "-1:x-x" /* minimum 1 arg */
 		, &tos_str, &device, &max_ttl_str, &port_str, &nprobes_str
 		, &source, &waittime_str, &pausemsecs_str, &first_ttl_str
 	);
diff --git a/networking/tunctl.c b/networking/tunctl.c
index 4c3220025..f2dc645a1 100644
--- a/networking/tunctl.c
+++ b/networking/tunctl.c
@@ -83,10 +83,13 @@ int tunctl_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #endif
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "=0:t--d:d--t"; // no arguments; t ^ d
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "f:t:d:" IF_FEATURE_TUNCTL_UG("u:g:b"),
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"f:t:d:" IF_FEATURE_TUNCTL_UG("u:g:b")
+			"\0"
+			"=0:t--d:d--t", // no arguments; t ^ d
 			&opt_device, &opt_name, &opt_name
-			IF_FEATURE_TUNCTL_UG(, &opt_user, &opt_group));
+			IF_FEATURE_TUNCTL_UG(, &opt_user, &opt_group)
+	);
 
 	// select device
 	memset(&ifr, 0, sizeof(ifr));
@@ -153,9 +156,12 @@ int tunctl_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		OPT_d = 1 << 2, // delete named interface
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "=0:t--d:d--t"; // no arguments; t ^ d
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "f:t:d:u:g:b", // u, g, b accepted and ignored
-			&opt_device, &opt_name, &opt_name, NULL, NULL);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"f:t:d:u:g:b" // u, g, b accepted and ignored
+			"\0"
+			"=0:t--d:d--t", // no arguments; t ^ d
+			&opt_device, &opt_name, &opt_name, NULL, NULL
+	);
 
 	// set interface name
 	memset(&ifr, 0, sizeof(ifr));
diff --git a/networking/udhcp/d6_dhcpc.c b/networking/udhcp/d6_dhcpc.c
index 84969aa81..849ca1388 100644
--- a/networking/udhcp/d6_dhcpc.c
+++ b/networking/udhcp/d6_dhcpc.c
@@ -1101,13 +1101,14 @@ int udhcpc6_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	client_config.script = CONFIG_UDHCPC_DEFAULT_SCRIPT;
 
 	/* Parse command line */
-	/* O,x: list; -T,-t,-A take numeric param */
-	IF_UDHCP_VERBOSE(opt_complementary = "vv";)
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "i:np:qRr:s:T:+t:+SA:+O:*ox:*f"
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+		/* O,x: list; -T,-t,-A take numeric param */
+		"i:np:qRr:s:T:+t:+SA:+O:*ox:*f"
 		USE_FOR_MMU("b")
 		///IF_FEATURE_UDHCPC_ARPING("a")
 		IF_FEATURE_UDHCP_PORT("P:")
 		"v"
+		"\0" IF_UDHCP_VERBOSE("vv") /* -v is a counter */
 		, udhcpc6_longopts
 		, &client_config.interface, &client_config.pidfile, &str_r /* i,p */
 		, &client_config.script /* s */
diff --git a/networking/udhcp/dhcpc.c b/networking/udhcp/dhcpc.c
index 5f87f8586..55e0400b9 100644
--- a/networking/udhcp/dhcpc.c
+++ b/networking/udhcp/dhcpc.c
@@ -1295,16 +1295,18 @@ int udhcpc_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	str_V = "udhcp "BB_VER;
 
 	/* Parse command line */
-	/* O,x: list; -T,-t,-A take numeric param */
-	IF_UDHCP_VERBOSE(opt_complementary = "vv";)
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "CV:H:h:F:i:np:qRr:s:T:+t:+SA:+O:*ox:*fB"
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+		/* O,x: list; -T,-t,-A take numeric param */
+		"CV:H:h:F:i:np:qRr:s:T:+t:+SA:+O:*ox:*fB"
 		USE_FOR_MMU("b")
 		IF_FEATURE_UDHCPC_ARPING("a::")
 		IF_FEATURE_UDHCP_PORT("P:")
 		"v"
+		"\0" IF_UDHCP_VERBOSE("vv") /* -v is a counter */
 		, udhcpc_longopts
 		, &str_V, &str_h, &str_h, &str_F
-		, &client_config.interface, &client_config.pidfile, &str_r /* i,p */
+		, &client_config.interface, &client_config.pidfile /* i,p */
+		, &str_r /* r */
 		, &client_config.script /* s */
 		, &discover_timeout, &discover_retries, &tryagain_timeout /* T,t,A */
 		, &list_O
diff --git a/networking/udhcp/dhcpd.c b/networking/udhcp/dhcpd.c
index 3a5fc2db7..05ddc8649 100644
--- a/networking/udhcp/dhcpd.c
+++ b/networking/udhcp/dhcpd.c
@@ -814,11 +814,12 @@ int udhcpd_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	IF_FEATURE_UDHCP_PORT(SERVER_PORT = 67;)
 	IF_FEATURE_UDHCP_PORT(CLIENT_PORT = 68;)
 
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"fSI:va:"IF_FEATURE_UDHCP_PORT("P:")
+		"\0"
 #if defined CONFIG_UDHCP_DEBUG && CONFIG_UDHCP_DEBUG >= 1
-	opt_complementary = "vv";
+		"vv"
 #endif
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "fSI:va:"
-		IF_FEATURE_UDHCP_PORT("P:")
 		, &str_I
 		, &str_a
 		IF_FEATURE_UDHCP_PORT(, &str_P)
diff --git a/networking/udhcp/dumpleases.c b/networking/udhcp/dumpleases.c
index fb1860ff6..70d2d1434 100644
--- a/networking/udhcp/dumpleases.c
+++ b/networking/udhcp/dumpleases.c
@@ -54,8 +54,12 @@ int dumpleases_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #endif
 	init_unicode();
 
-	opt_complementary = "=0:a--r:r--a";
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "arf:d", dumpleases_longopts, &file);
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+			"arf:d"
+			"\0" "=0:a--r:r--a",
+			dumpleases_longopts,
+			&file
+	);
 
 	fd = xopen(file, O_RDONLY);
 
diff --git a/networking/wget.c b/networking/wget.c
index b661f727b..e1b40d3fd 100644
--- a/networking/wget.c
+++ b/networking/wget.c
@@ -1387,9 +1387,8 @@ IF_DESKTOP(	"no-parent\0"        No_argument       "\xf0")
 
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_WGET_LONG_OPTIONS
 #endif
-	opt_complementary = "-1" /* at least one URL */
-		IF_FEATURE_WGET_LONG_OPTIONS(":\xff::"); /* --header is a list */
-	GETOPT32(argv, "cqSO:P:Y:U:T:+"
+	GETOPT32(argv, "^"
+		"cqSO:P:Y:U:T:+"
 		/*ignored:*/ "t:"
 		/*ignored:*/ "n::"
 		/* wget has exactly four -n<letter> opts, all of which we can ignore:
@@ -1400,6 +1399,9 @@ IF_DESKTOP(	"no-parent\0"        No_argument       "\xf0")
 		 * "n::" above says that we accept -n[ARG].
 		 * Specifying "n:" would be a bug: "-n ARG" would eat ARG!
 		 */
+		"\0"
+		"-1" /* at least one URL */
+		IF_FEATURE_WGET_LONG_OPTIONS(":\xff::") /* --header is a list */
 		LONGOPTS
 		, &G.fname_out, &G.dir_prefix,
 		&G.proxy_flag, &G.user_agent,
diff --git a/networking/whois.c b/networking/whois.c
index 0cb7e5411..fd1cdf43e 100644
--- a/networking/whois.c
+++ b/networking/whois.c
@@ -167,8 +167,7 @@ int whois_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	int port = 43;
 	const char *host = "whois.iana.org";
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
-	getopt32(argv, "ih:p:+", &host, &port);
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "ih:p:+" "\0" "-1", &host, &port);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	do {
diff --git a/networking/zcip.c b/networking/zcip.c
index 94174a165..55440285f 100644
--- a/networking/zcip.c
+++ b/networking/zcip.c
@@ -253,8 +253,9 @@ int zcip_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #define QUIT       (opts & 2)
 	// Parse commandline: prog [options] ifname script
 	// exactly 2 args; -v accumulates and implies -f
-	opt_complementary = "=2:vv:vf";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "fqr:l:v", &r_opt, &l_opt, &verbose);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "fqr:l:v" "\0" "=2:vv:vf",
+				&r_opt, &l_opt, &verbose
+	);
 #if !BB_MMU
 	// on NOMMU reexec early (or else we will rerun things twice)
 	if (!FOREGROUND)
diff --git a/procps/fuser.c b/procps/fuser.c
index 2585a4203..418f57b57 100644
--- a/procps/fuser.c
+++ b/procps/fuser.c
@@ -299,8 +299,7 @@ int fuser_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		break;
 	}
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* at least one param */
-	getopt32(argv, OPTION_STRING);
+	getopt32(argv, "^" OPTION_STRING "\0" "-1"/*at least one arg*/);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	pp = argv;
diff --git a/procps/iostat.c b/procps/iostat.c
index 608d41364..fbf685568 100644
--- a/procps/iostat.c
+++ b/procps/iostat.c
@@ -418,8 +418,7 @@ int iostat_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	/* Parse and process arguments */
 	/* -k and -m are mutually exclusive */
-	opt_complementary = "k--m:m--k";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "cdtzkm");
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "cdtzkm" "\0" "k--m:m--k");
 	if (!(opt & (OPT_c + OPT_d)))
 		/* Default is -cd */
 		opt |= OPT_c + OPT_d;
diff --git a/procps/pmap.c b/procps/pmap.c
index 3dc733974..5c2d1ad59 100644
--- a/procps/pmap.c
+++ b/procps/pmap.c
@@ -96,8 +96,7 @@ int pmap_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned opts;
 	int ret;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* min one arg */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "xq");
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "xq" "\0" "-1"); /* min one arg */
 	argv += optind;
 
 	ret = 0;
diff --git a/procps/ps.c b/procps/ps.c
index afd981313..e004d25bb 100644
--- a/procps/ps.c
+++ b/procps/ps.c
@@ -718,9 +718,11 @@ int ps_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv UNUSED_PARAM)
 	/* -w is a bit complicated */
 	int w_count = 0;
 	make_all_argv_opts(argv);
-	opt_complementary = "ww";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, IF_SELINUX("Z")IF_FEATURE_SHOW_THREADS("T")IF_FEATURE_PS_LONG("l")
-					"w", &w_count);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		IF_SELINUX("Z")IF_FEATURE_SHOW_THREADS("T")IF_FEATURE_PS_LONG("l")"w"
+		"\0" "ww",
+		&w_count
+	);
 	/* if w is given once, GNU ps sets the width to 132,
 	 * if w is given more than once, it is "unlimited"
 	 */
diff --git a/procps/pstree.c b/procps/pstree.c
index 824907997..4fda1c21c 100644
--- a/procps/pstree.c
+++ b/procps/pstree.c
@@ -386,8 +386,7 @@ int pstree_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	G.output_width = get_terminal_width(0);
 
-	opt_complementary = "?1";
-	getopt32(argv, "p");
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "p" "\0" "?1");
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (argv[0]) {
diff --git a/procps/pwdx.c b/procps/pwdx.c
index 84802bbcd..c72cf804a 100644
--- a/procps/pwdx.c
+++ b/procps/pwdx.c
@@ -28,8 +28,7 @@
 int pwdx_main(int argc, char **argv) MAIN_EXTERNALLY_VISIBLE;
 int pwdx_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 {
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
-	getopt32(argv, "");
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "" "\0" "-1");
 	argv += optind;
 
 	do {
diff --git a/procps/watch.c b/procps/watch.c
index 2bb7cca90..6fc9f7db7 100644
--- a/procps/watch.c
+++ b/procps/watch.c
@@ -62,9 +62,9 @@ int watch_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	xopen("/dev/null", O_RDONLY);
 #endif
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; // at least one param; -n NUM
-	// "+": stop at first non-option (procps 3.x only)
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "+dtn:+", &period);
+	// "+": stop at first non-option (procps 3.x only); -n NUM
+	// at least one param
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^+" "dtn:+" "\0" "-1", &period);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	// watch from both procps 2.x and 3.x does concatenation. Example:
diff --git a/runit/chpst.c b/runit/chpst.c
index c061a91ea..3ecb85cba 100644
--- a/runit/chpst.c
+++ b/runit/chpst.c
@@ -301,9 +301,10 @@ int chpst_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		// FIXME: can we live with int-sized limits?
 		// can we live with 40000 days?
 		// if yes -> getopt converts strings to numbers for us
-		opt_complementary = "-1";
-		opt = getopt32(argv, "+a:+c:+d:+f:+l:+m:+o:+p:+r:+s:+t:+u:U:e:"
-			IF_CHPST("/:n:vP012"),
+		opt = getopt32(argv, "^+"
+			"a:+c:+d:+f:+l:+m:+o:+p:+r:+s:+t:+u:U:e:"
+			IF_CHPST("/:n:vP012")
+			"\0" "-1",
 			&limita, &limitc, &limitd, &limitf, &limitl,
 			&limitm, &limito, &limitp, &limitr, &limits, &limitt,
 			&set_user, &set_user, &env_dir
diff --git a/runit/runsvdir.c b/runit/runsvdir.c
index abba2e8e4..11ab40abf 100644
--- a/runit/runsvdir.c
+++ b/runit/runsvdir.c
@@ -248,10 +248,9 @@ int runsvdir_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
 	opt_s_argv[0] = NULL;
 	opt_s_argv[2] = NULL;
-	getopt32(argv, "Ps:", &opt_s_argv[0]);
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "Ps:" "\0" "-1", &opt_s_argv[0]);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	i_am_init = (getpid() == 1);
diff --git a/runit/sv.c b/runit/sv.c
index 477c1ac6e..1d0809be8 100644
--- a/runit/sv.c
+++ b/runit/sv.c
@@ -506,8 +506,9 @@ static int sv(char **argv)
 	x = getenv("SVWAIT");
 	if (x) waitsec = xatou(x);
 
-	opt_complementary = "vv"; /* -w N, -v is a counter */
-	getopt32(argv, "w:+v", &waitsec, &verbose);
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "w:+v" "\0" "vv" /* -w N, -v is a counter */,
+			&waitsec, &verbose
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 	action = *argv++;
 	if (!action || !*argv) bb_show_usage();
diff --git a/runit/svlogd.c b/runit/svlogd.c
index 831873d86..739483356 100644
--- a/runit/svlogd.c
+++ b/runit/svlogd.c
@@ -1037,9 +1037,10 @@ int svlogd_main(int argc, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	opt_complementary = "tt:vv";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "r:R:l:b:tv",
-			&r, &replace, &l, &b, &timestamp, &verbose);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"r:R:l:b:tv" "\0" "tt:vv",
+			&r, &replace, &l, &b, &timestamp, &verbose
+	);
 	if (opt & 1) { // -r
 		repl = r[0];
 		if (!repl || r[1])
diff --git a/selinux/chcon.c b/selinux/chcon.c
index 3cf9e928a..e77e9ded5 100644
--- a/selinux/chcon.c
+++ b/selinux/chcon.c
@@ -163,13 +163,16 @@ int chcon_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	char *fname;
 	int i, errors = 0;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"  /* at least 1 param */
-		":?"  /* error if exclusivity constraints are violated */
+	getopt32long(argv, "^"
+		"Rchfu:r:t:l:v"
+		"\0"
+		"-1" /* at least 1 arg */
+		":?" /* error if exclusivity constraints are violated */
 #if ENABLE_LONG_OPTS
 		":\xff--urtl:u--\xff:r--\xff:t--\xff:l--\xff"
 #endif
-		":f--v:v--f";  /* 'verbose' and 'quiet' are exclusive */
-	getopt32long(argv, "Rchfu:r:t:l:v", chcon_longopts,
+		":f--v:v--f"  /* 'verbose' and 'quiet' are exclusive */
+		, chcon_longopts,
 		&user, &role, &type, &range, &reference_file
 	);
 	argv += optind;
diff --git a/selinux/matchpathcon.c b/selinux/matchpathcon.c
index 3388d0857..e57120d3b 100644
--- a/selinux/matchpathcon.c
+++ b/selinux/matchpathcon.c
@@ -58,9 +58,13 @@ int matchpathcon_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned opts;
 	char *fcontext, *prefix, *path;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1" /* at least one param reqd */
-		":?:f--p:p--f"; /* mutually exclusive */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "nNf:p:V", &fcontext, &prefix);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"nNf:p:V"
+			"\0"
+			"-1" /* at least one param reqd */
+			":?:f--p:p--f" /* mutually exclusive */
+			, &fcontext, &prefix
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (opts & OPT_NOT_TRANS) {
diff --git a/selinux/runcon.c b/selinux/runcon.c
index 199da25c6..a5a394427 100644
--- a/selinux/runcon.c
+++ b/selinux/runcon.c
@@ -126,9 +126,12 @@ int runcon_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	selinux_or_die();
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
-	opts = getopt32long(argv, "r:t:u:l:ch", runcon_longopts,
-				&role, &type, &user, &range);
+	opts = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+			"r:t:u:l:ch"
+			"\0" "-1",
+			runcon_longopts,
+			&role, &type, &user, &range
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (!(opts & OPTS_CONTEXT_COMPONENT)) {
diff --git a/selinux/sestatus.c b/selinux/sestatus.c
index daf4b223b..6954aca70 100644
--- a/selinux/sestatus.c
+++ b/selinux/sestatus.c
@@ -167,8 +167,7 @@ int sestatus_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	const char *pol_path;
 	int rc;
 
-	opt_complementary = "?0";  /* no arguments are required. */
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "vb");
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "vb" "\0" "=0"/*no arguments*/);
 
 	/* SELinux status: line */
 	rc = is_selinux_enabled();
diff --git a/selinux/setfiles.c b/selinux/setfiles.c
index 01106bd67..fca698296 100644
--- a/selinux/setfiles.c
+++ b/selinux/setfiles.c
@@ -610,17 +610,23 @@ int setfiles_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	set_matchpathcon_flags(matchpathcon_flags);
 
-	opt_complementary = "vv:v--p:p--v:v--q:q--v";
 	/* Option order must match OPT_x definitions! */
 	if (applet_name[0] == 'r') { /* restorecon */
-		flags = getopt32(argv, "de:*f:ilnpqrsvo:FWR",
-			&exclude_dir, &input_filename, &out_filename, &verbose);
+		flags = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"de:*f:ilnpqrsvo:FWR",
+			"\0" "vv:v--p:p--v:v--q:q--v";
+			&exclude_dir, &input_filename, &out_filename,
+			&verbose
+		);
 	} else { /* setfiles */
-		flags = getopt32(argv, "de:*f:ilnpqr:svo:FW"
-				IF_FEATURE_SETFILES_CHECK_OPTION("c:"),
+		flags = getopt32(argv, "^"
+			"de:*f:ilnpqr:svo:FW"
+			IF_FEATURE_SETFILES_CHECK_OPTION("c:"),
+			"\0" "vv:v--p:p--v:v--q:q--v";
 			&exclude_dir, &input_filename, &rootpath, &out_filename,
-				IF_FEATURE_SETFILES_CHECK_OPTION(&policyfile,)
-			&verbose);
+			IF_FEATURE_SETFILES_CHECK_OPTION(&policyfile,)
+			&verbose
+		);
 	}
 	argv += optind;
 
diff --git a/sysklogd/syslogd.c b/sysklogd/syslogd.c
index 31730a7f9..2b85234a7 100644
--- a/sysklogd/syslogd.c
+++ b/sysklogd/syslogd.c
@@ -1109,8 +1109,7 @@ int syslogd_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	INIT_G();
 
 	/* No non-option params */
-	opt_complementary = "=0";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, OPTION_STR, OPTION_PARAM);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"OPTION_STR"\0""=0", OPTION_PARAM);
 #if ENABLE_FEATURE_REMOTE_LOG
 	while (remoteAddrList) {
 		remoteHost_t *rh = xzalloc(sizeof(*rh));
diff --git a/util-linux/acpid.c b/util-linux/acpid.c
index 3c3811752..4f491fa14 100644
--- a/util-linux/acpid.c
+++ b/util-linux/acpid.c
@@ -264,8 +264,12 @@ int acpid_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	opt_complementary = "df:e--e";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "c:de:fl:a:M:" IF_FEATURE_PIDFILE("p:") IF_FEATURE_ACPID_COMPAT("g:m:s:S:v"),
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"c:de:fl:a:M:"
+		IF_FEATURE_PIDFILE("p:")
+		IF_FEATURE_ACPID_COMPAT("g:m:s:S:v")
+		"\0"
+		"df:e--e",
 		&opt_dir, &opt_input, &opt_logfile, &opt_action, &opt_map
 		IF_FEATURE_PIDFILE(, &opt_pidfile)
 		IF_FEATURE_ACPID_COMPAT(, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL)
diff --git a/util-linux/blkdiscard.c b/util-linux/blkdiscard.c
index 048d39e83..5863f0aab 100644
--- a/util-linux/blkdiscard.c
+++ b/util-linux/blkdiscard.c
@@ -53,8 +53,7 @@ int blkdiscard_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		OPT_SECURE = (1 << 2),
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "o:l:s", &offset_str, &length_str);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "o:l:s" "\0" "=1", &offset_str, &length_str);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	fd = xopen(argv[0], O_RDWR|O_EXCL);
diff --git a/util-linux/chrt.c b/util-linux/chrt.c
index 52523df02..2712ea3e3 100644
--- a/util-linux/chrt.c
+++ b/util-linux/chrt.c
@@ -77,8 +77,7 @@ int chrt_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	int policy = SCHED_RR;
 
 	/* only one policy accepted */
-	opt_complementary = "r--fo:f--ro:o--rf";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "+mprfo");
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^+" "mprfo" "\0" "r--fo:f--ro:o--rf");
 	if (opt & OPT_m) { /* print min/max and exit */
 		show_min_max(SCHED_FIFO);
 		show_min_max(SCHED_RR);
diff --git a/util-linux/eject.c b/util-linux/eject.c
index 8095cbef0..6c30facd2 100644
--- a/util-linux/eject.c
+++ b/util-linux/eject.c
@@ -124,8 +124,9 @@ int eject_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	unsigned flags;
 	const char *device;
 
-	opt_complementary = "?1:t--T:T--t";
-	flags = getopt32(argv, "tT" IF_FEATURE_EJECT_SCSI("s"));
+	flags = getopt32(argv, "^" "tT"IF_FEATURE_EJECT_SCSI("s")
+			"\0" "?1:t--T:T--t"
+	);
 	device = argv[optind] ? argv[optind] : "/dev/cdrom";
 
 	/* We used to do "umount <device>" here, but it was buggy
diff --git a/util-linux/fallocate.c b/util-linux/fallocate.c
index 70e7e178f..1a02a322f 100644
--- a/util-linux/fallocate.c
+++ b/util-linux/fallocate.c
@@ -82,8 +82,7 @@ int fallocate_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	int fd;
 
 	/* exactly one non-option arg */
-	opt_complementary = "=1";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "l:o:", &str_l, &str_o);
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^" "l:o:" "\0" "=1", &str_l, &str_o);
 	if (!(opts & 1))
 		bb_show_usage();
 
diff --git a/util-linux/fdformat.c b/util-linux/fdformat.c
index 6faaf1b10..855269c30 100644
--- a/util-linux/fdformat.c
+++ b/util-linux/fdformat.c
@@ -66,8 +66,7 @@ int fdformat_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	struct floppy_struct param;
 	struct format_descr descr;
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1"; /* must have 1 param */
-	verify = !getopt32(argv, "n");
+	verify = !getopt32(argv, "^" "n" "\0" "=1");
 	argv += optind;
 
 	xstat(*argv, &st);
diff --git a/util-linux/flock.c b/util-linux/flock.c
index 0c9158508..dd0bfd430 100644
--- a/util-linux/flock.c
+++ b/util-linux/flock.c
@@ -45,9 +45,8 @@ int flock_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		"nonblock\0"    No_argument       "n"
 		;
 #endif
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
 
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "+sxnu", flock_longopts);
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^+" "sxnu" "\0" "-1", flock_longopts);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	if (argv[1]) {
diff --git a/util-linux/fsck_minix.c b/util-linux/fsck_minix.c
index 8c2b7d8de..608048983 100644
--- a/util-linux/fsck_minix.c
+++ b/util-linux/fsck_minix.c
@@ -1232,8 +1232,7 @@ int fsck_minix_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1:ar"; /* one argument; -a assumes -r */
-	getopt32(argv, OPTION_STR);
+	getopt32(argv, "^" OPTION_STR "\0" "=1:ar" /* one arg; -a assumes -r */);
 	argv += optind;
 	device_name = argv[0];
 
diff --git a/util-linux/fsfreeze.c b/util-linux/fsfreeze.c
index af715da5e..2e2257337 100644
--- a/util-linux/fsfreeze.c
+++ b/util-linux/fsfreeze.c
@@ -39,8 +39,9 @@ int fsfreeze_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	/* exactly one non-option arg: the mountpoint */
 	/* one of opts is required */
 	/* opts are mutually exclusive */
-	opt_complementary = "=1:""\xff:\xfe:""\xff--\xfe:\xfe--\xff";
-	opts = getopt32long(argv, "",
+	opts = getopt32long(argv, "^"
+		"" /* no opts */
+		"\0" "=1:""\xff:\xfe:""\xff--\xfe:\xfe--\xff",
 		"freeze\0"   No_argument "\xff"
 		"unfreeze\0" No_argument "\xfe"
 	);
diff --git a/util-linux/fstrim.c b/util-linux/fstrim.c
index 8f0a0538f..4acfa567a 100644
--- a/util-linux/fstrim.c
+++ b/util-linux/fstrim.c
@@ -71,8 +71,9 @@ int fstrim_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		;
 #endif
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1"; /* exactly one non-option arg: the mountpoint */
-	opts = getopt32long(argv, "o:l:m:v", fstrim_longopts, &arg_o, &arg_l, &arg_m);
+	opts = getopt32long(argv, "^" "o:l:m:v" "\0" "=1", fstrim_longopts,
+			&arg_o, &arg_l, &arg_m
+	);
 
 	memset(&range, 0, sizeof(range));
 	range.len = ULLONG_MAX;
diff --git a/util-linux/hexdump_xxd.c b/util-linux/hexdump_xxd.c
index 37e58f2d0..6cf6d0297 100644
--- a/util-linux/hexdump_xxd.c
+++ b/util-linux/hexdump_xxd.c
@@ -73,8 +73,9 @@ int xxd_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 #define OPT_s (1 << 1)
 #define OPT_a (1 << 2)
 #define OPT_p (1 << 3)
-	opt_complementary = "?1"; /* 1 argument max */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "l:s:apg:+c:+", &opt_l, &opt_s, &bytes, &cols);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "l:s:apg:+c:+" "\0" "?1" /* 1 argument max */,
+			&opt_l, &opt_s, &bytes, &cols
+	);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	dumper->dump_vflag = ALL;
diff --git a/util-linux/hwclock.c b/util-linux/hwclock.c
index 50f83d8c4..29f51021e 100644
--- a/util-linux/hwclock.c
+++ b/util-linux/hwclock.c
@@ -343,8 +343,11 @@ int hwclock_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	/* Initialize "timezone" (libc global variable) */
 	tzset();
 
-	opt_complementary = "r--wst:w--rst:s--wrt:t--rsw:l--u:u--l";
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "lurswtf:", hwclock_longopts, &rtcname);
+	opt = getopt32long(argv,
+		"^lurswtf:" "\0" "r--wst:w--rst:s--wrt:t--rsw:l--u:u--l",
+		hwclock_longopts,
+		&rtcname
+	);
 
 	/* If -u or -l wasn't given check if we are using utc */
 	if (opt & (HWCLOCK_OPT_UTC | HWCLOCK_OPT_LOCALTIME))
diff --git a/util-linux/losetup.c b/util-linux/losetup.c
index 2f7dc10f5..6b171d710 100644
--- a/util-linux/losetup.c
+++ b/util-linux/losetup.c
@@ -57,8 +57,7 @@ int losetup_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		OPT_r = (1 << 4), /* must be last */
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "?2:d--ofar:a--ofr";
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "do:far", &opt_o);
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "do:far" "\0" "?2:d--ofar:a--ofr", &opt_o);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	/* LOOPDEV */
diff --git a/util-linux/mkfs_reiser.c b/util-linux/mkfs_reiser.c
index c7d99b018..390aef86c 100644
--- a/util-linux/mkfs_reiser.c
+++ b/util-linux/mkfs_reiser.c
@@ -180,8 +180,7 @@ int mkfs_reiser_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	// using global "option_mask32" instead of local "opts":
 	// we are register starved here
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
-	/*opts =*/ getopt32(argv, "b:+j:s:o:t:B:h:u:l:fqd",
+	/*opts =*/ getopt32(argv, "^" "b:+j:s:o:t:B:h:u:l:fqd" "\0" "-1",
 		NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, &label);
 	argv += optind; // argv[0] -- device
 
diff --git a/util-linux/mkfs_vfat.c b/util-linux/mkfs_vfat.c
index f9768ed56..426854b1e 100644
--- a/util-linux/mkfs_vfat.c
+++ b/util-linux/mkfs_vfat.c
@@ -269,8 +269,9 @@ int mkfs_vfat_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		OPT_v = 1 << 16, // verbose
 	};
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1";//:b+:f+:F+:h+:r+:R+:s+:S+:vv:c--l:l--c";
-	opts = getopt32(argv, "Ab:cCf:F:h:Ii:l:m:n:r:R:s:S:v",
+	opts = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		"Ab:cCf:F:h:Ii:l:m:n:r:R:s:S:v"
+		"\0" "-1", //:b+:f+:F+:h+:r+:R+:s+:S+:vv:c--l:l--c
 		NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL,
 		NULL, NULL, &volume_label, NULL, NULL, NULL, NULL);
 	argv += optind;
diff --git a/util-linux/mkswap.c b/util-linux/mkswap.c
index e44e13c0d..71449882d 100644
--- a/util-linux/mkswap.c
+++ b/util-linux/mkswap.c
@@ -119,9 +119,8 @@ int mkswap_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	INIT_G();
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* at least one param */
 	/* TODO: -p PAGESZ, -U UUID */
-	getopt32(argv, "L:", &label);
+	getopt32(argv, "^" "L:" "\0" "-1"/*at least one arg*/, &label);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	fd = xopen(argv[0], O_WRONLY);
diff --git a/util-linux/mount.c b/util-linux/mount.c
index 4d5c2243a..b8dd8a925 100644
--- a/util-linux/mount.c
+++ b/util-linux/mount.c
@@ -2205,10 +2205,14 @@ int mount_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 
 	// Parse remaining options
 	// Max 2 params; -o is a list, -v is a counter
-	opt_complementary = "?2" IF_FEATURE_MOUNT_VERBOSE("vv");
-	opt = getopt32(argv, OPTION_STR, &lst_o, &fstype, &O_optmatch
-			IF_FEATURE_MOUNT_OTHERTAB(, &fstabname)
-			IF_FEATURE_MOUNT_VERBOSE(, &verbose));
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^"
+		OPTION_STR
+		"\0" "?2"IF_FEATURE_MOUNT_VERBOSE("vv"),
+		&lst_o, &fstype, &O_optmatch
+		IF_FEATURE_MOUNT_OTHERTAB(, &fstabname)
+		IF_FEATURE_MOUNT_VERBOSE(, &verbose)
+	);
+
 	while (lst_o) append_mount_options(&cmdopts, llist_pop(&lst_o)); // -o
 	if (opt & OPT_r) append_mount_options(&cmdopts, "ro"); // -r
 	if (opt & OPT_w) append_mount_options(&cmdopts, "rw"); // -w
diff --git a/util-linux/mountpoint.c b/util-linux/mountpoint.c
index 50772533f..6b21a5fb3 100644
--- a/util-linux/mountpoint.c
+++ b/util-linux/mountpoint.c
@@ -43,8 +43,7 @@ int mountpoint_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	char *arg;
 	int rc, opt;
 
-	opt_complementary = "=1"; /* must have one argument */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "qdxn");
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^" "qdxn" "\0" "=1");
 #define OPT_q (1)
 #define OPT_d (2)
 #define OPT_x (4)
diff --git a/util-linux/rdate.c b/util-linux/rdate.c
index 14ce591e9..f27294e25 100644
--- a/util-linux/rdate.c
+++ b/util-linux/rdate.c
@@ -81,8 +81,7 @@ int rdate_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	time_t remote_time;
 	unsigned flags;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1";
-	flags = getopt32(argv, "sp");
+	flags = getopt32(argv, "^" "sp" "\0" "-1");
 
 	remote_time = askremotedate(argv[optind]);
 
diff --git a/util-linux/rtcwake.c b/util-linux/rtcwake.c
index 2a3d61f21..8ffa4f3a6 100644
--- a/util-linux/rtcwake.c
+++ b/util-linux/rtcwake.c
@@ -155,9 +155,9 @@ int rtcwake_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		"time\0"    Required_argument "t"
 		;
 #endif
-	/* Must have -s or -t, exclusive */
-	opt_complementary = "s:t:s--t:t--s";
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "alud:m:s:t:", rtcwake_longopts,
+	opt = getopt32long(argv,
+			/* Must have -s or -t, exclusive */
+			"^alud:m:s:t:" "\0" "s:t:s--t:t--s", rtcwake_longopts,
 			&rtcname, &suspend, &opt_seconds, &opt_time);
 
 	/* this is the default
diff --git a/util-linux/script.c b/util-linux/script.c
index 8174c65bf..aac77c3ba 100644
--- a/util-linux/script.c
+++ b/util-linux/script.c
@@ -80,8 +80,10 @@ int script_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		;
 #endif
 
-	opt_complementary = "?1"; /* max one arg */
-	opt = getopt32long(argv, "ac:fqt::", script_longopts, &shell_arg, &str_t);
+	opt = getopt32long(argv, "^" "ac:fqt::" "\0" "?1"/* max one arg */,
+				script_longopts,
+				&shell_arg, &str_t
+	);
 	//argc -= optind;
 	argv += optind;
 	if (argv[0]) {
diff --git a/util-linux/setsid.c b/util-linux/setsid.c
index 60cab2fcf..8385a9115 100644
--- a/util-linux/setsid.c
+++ b/util-linux/setsid.c
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@ int setsid_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 {
 	unsigned opt;
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* at least one arg */
-	opt = getopt32(argv, "+c"); /* +: stop on first non-opt */
+	/* +: stop on first non-opt */
+	opt = getopt32(argv, "^+" "c" "\0" "-1"/* at least one arg */);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	/* setsid() is allowed only when we are not a process group leader.
diff --git a/util-linux/switch_root.c b/util-linux/switch_root.c
index 32708934e..fb6057a02 100644
--- a/util-linux/switch_root.c
+++ b/util-linux/switch_root.c
@@ -97,9 +97,8 @@ int switch_root_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	struct statfs stfs;
 	dev_t rootdev;
 
-	// Parse args (-c console)
-	opt_complementary = "-2"; // minimum 2 params
-	getopt32(argv, "+c:", &console); // '+': stop at first non-option
+	// Parse args (-c console). '+': stop at first non-option
+	getopt32(argv, "^+" "c:" "\0" "-2" /* minimum 2 args */, &console);
 	argv += optind;
 	newroot = *argv++;
 
diff --git a/util-linux/taskset.c b/util-linux/taskset.c
index 89dea176e..401a1bcb7 100644
--- a/util-linux/taskset.c
+++ b/util-linux/taskset.c
@@ -123,8 +123,7 @@ int taskset_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	 * Indeed, util-linux-2.13-pre7 uses:
 	 * getopt_long(argc, argv, "+pchV", ...), not "...p:..." */
 
-	opt_complementary = "-1"; /* at least 1 arg */
-	opt_p = getopt32(argv, "+p");
+	opt_p = getopt32(argv, "^+" "p" "\0" "-1" /* at least 1 arg */);
 	argv += optind;
 
 	aff = *argv++;
diff --git a/util-linux/unshare.c b/util-linux/unshare.c
index df377478f..6a3da9f91 100644
--- a/util-linux/unshare.c
+++ b/util-linux/unshare.c
@@ -137,7 +137,7 @@ static const struct namespace_descr ns_list[] = {
  * we are forced to use "fake" letters for them.
  * '+': stop at first non-option.
  */
-static const char opt_str[] ALIGN1 = "+muinpU""fr""\xfd::""\xfe:""\xff:";
+#define OPT_STR "+muinpU""fr""\xfd::""\xfe:""\xff:"
 static const char unshare_longopts[] ALIGN1 =
 	"mount\0"		Optional_argument	"\xf0"
 	"uts\0"			Optional_argument	"\xf1"
@@ -210,7 +210,7 @@ int unshare_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 	prop_str = PRIVATE_STR;
 	setgrp_str = NULL;
 
-	opt_complementary =
+	opts = getopt32long(argv, "^" OPT_STR "\0"
 		"\xf0""m" /* long opts (via their "fake chars") imply short opts */
 		":\xf1""u"
 		":\xf2""i"
@@ -219,15 +219,14 @@ int unshare_main(int argc UNUSED_PARAM, char **argv)
 		":\xf5""U"
 		":ru"	   /* --map-root-user or -r implies -u */
 		":\xfd""m" /* --mount-proc implies -m */
-	;
-	opts = getopt32long(argv, opt_str, unshare_longopts,
-			&proc_mnt_target, &prop_str, &setgrp_str,
-			&ns_ctx_list[NS_MNT_POS].path,
-			&ns_ctx_list[NS_UTS_POS].path,
-			&ns_ctx_list[NS_IPC_POS].path,
-			&ns_ctx_list[NS_NET_POS].path,
-			&ns_ctx_list[NS_PID_POS].path,
-			&ns_ctx_list[NS_USR_POS].path
+		, unshare_longopts,
+		&proc_mnt_target, &prop_str, &setgrp_str,
+		&ns_ctx_list[NS_MNT_POS].path,
+		&ns_ctx_list[NS_UTS_POS].path,
+		&ns_ctx_list[NS_IPC_POS].path,
+		&ns_ctx_list[NS_NET_POS].path,
+		&ns_ctx_list[NS_PID_POS].path,
+		&ns_ctx_list[NS_USR_POS].path
 	);
 	argv += optind;
 	//bb_error_msg("opts:0x%x", opts);