Stop Chrome autocompleting address by default

Question

I do not want to disable autocomplete, I just want to stop the following scenario;

In the address bar type example and enter, then exam and enter.
For me it searched example again! It autocompleted for me when I wanted to actually write exam.

I know all I had to do was backspace the highlighted text, but I see autocomplete as something I should opt-in to, not opt-out of.

I vaguely remember, in the past, it working by showing a drop down with the various autocomplete options as you typed. To select one you actually had to click one/press the down key. But, should you hit enter without doing that it would go to exactly what you typed.

I really like autocomplete, but most of the time I mean what I type, and the autocomplete is the lesser user-case. Is there a setting to make it behave as described?

Basically I want it to keep suggesting completions for my searches without autocompleting it for me (if that makes it clearer).

Answer 1

Press shift-delete when autocomplete is showing you a match you do not want.

Answer 2

Turning off Predictions in the Address Bar:

1. Clear browsing history (optional - only do this if you don't want to see matches from your browsing history).

2. Wrench Icon --> Options --> Under the hood --> Privacy --> uncheck "Use a prediction service to help complete searches and URLs typed in the address bar"

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Turning off Form Autofill (aka Autocomplete):

Wrench Icon --> Options --> Personal Stuff --> Autofill --> uncheck "Enable Autofill to fill out web forms in a single click"

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Source: http://productforums.google.com/forum/#!topic/chrome/0DR-pLIVI5g%5B1-25-false%5D