How can I configure search to look for partial strings or make it smarter, matching misspelled words

[Simon Lehmayr]

As it is, the search macro "livesearch" on a space will only match exact words. This makes it hard to use when a word is not exactly known (technical wiki). Also spelling errors will produce empty results.

The workaround using a lot of wrongly spelled labels just appears dumb.

Is there a way to make this search macro better?

[Chii]

you can use the tilde character to use a fuzzy match. See the documentation https://developer.atlassian.com/server/confluence/performing-text-searches-using-cql/ - near the bottom of the page, about `Fuzzy searches`. For example, the search 

rest~

also turns up pages named `Test`, or `Best`