The Greek verb metamelomai (μεταμέλομαι) means to regret, feel remorse, or experience sorrow after the fact. It combines meta (after) + melo (to be a care, to concern oneself). It describes the emotional pain of regret and second thoughts, but without the full turn of purpose implied by metanoeō (repentance). It appears 6 times in the New Testament.
The distinction between metamelomai (regret) and metanoeō (repentance) is theologically critical, though often confused. Judas 'was seized with remorse (metamelétheis)' after betraying Jesus (Matthew 27:3) — he experienced the agony of regret but not saving repentance, leading to despair and suicide rather than reconciliation. Peter, by contrast, wept bitterly after his denial (Matthew 26:75) and was later fully restored through genuine metanoia. Paul makes the distinction explicit in 2 Corinthians 7:10: 'Godly sorrow brings repentance (metanoian) that leads to salvation and leaves no regret (ametamelēton).' Regret without repentance is a spiritual dead end; true repentance transforms grief into action toward God.