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To simplify the expression \(-2^{-5}\), we can use the properties of exponents.
1. **Negative Exponent Rule**: \(a^{-n} = \frac{1}{a^n}\)
Using this rule, we can rewrite \(-2^{-5}\) as:
\[
-2^{-5} = -\frac{1}{2^5}
\]
2. Next, we need to calculate \(2^5\):
\[
2^5 = 32
\]
3. Substituting this back into the expression gives:
\[
-2^{-5} = -\frac{1}{32}
\]
Thus, the simplified form of \(-2^{-5}\) is:
\[
-\frac{1}{32}
\]