const regex = /\/(.*(?<!friends)(?<!friends\/))\?.*$/gm;
// Alternative syntax using RegExp constructor
// const regex = new RegExp('\\\/(.*(?<!friends)(?<!friends\\\/))\\?.*$', 'gm')
const str = `/friends?guest=1&event=chill_out&submit=2
/friends/?more_params
/friend/?more_params
/friend?more_params`;
const subst = `$1`;
// The substituted value will be contained in the result variable
const result = str.replace(regex, subst);
console.log('Substitution result: ', result);
Please keep in mind that these code samples are automatically generated and are not guaranteed to work. If you find any syntax errors, feel free to submit a bug report. For a full regex reference for JavaScript, please visit: https://developer.mozilla.org/en/docs/Web/JavaScript/Guide/Regular_Expressions