" remove the highlighting until the next search.
set hlsearch
-" Display tabs, trailing space, non breakable spaces and long lines (when
-" wrapping is disabled).
+" Display some special characters.
set list
-set listchars=trail:-,extends:>
+set listchars=
+" Display trailing whitespace as "-".
+set listchars+=trail:-
+" Display markers for long lines when wrapping is disabled.
+set listchars+=extends:>
+" Display non-breakable space as "!".
if v:version >= 700
set listchars+=nbsp:!
endif