Translation guide
The English verb "quell" covers suppressing emotions, stopping unrest, and quieting doubts. Japanese uses different verbs depending on what is being quelled.
To hold back or calm a strong feeling like anger, fear, or excitement.
To stop violent or disruptive collective action by force or authority.
Standard term for suppressing riots, rebellions, or insurrections by force. Often used in news reports.
警察が暴動を鎮圧した。
The police quelled the riot.
To remove or alleviate mental unease, suspicion, or worry.
To dispel or wipe away doubts, fears, or concerns. Common in formal and written contexts.
彼の説明で疑念が払拭された。
His explanation quelled my doubts.
抑える (osaeru) is the most general for suppressing emotions or urges. 鎮める (shizumeru) implies calming or pacifying, and can be used for emotions or unrest but is less forceful. 鎮圧する (chin'atsu suru) specifically means to suppress by force, used for riots and rebellions.
Avoid directly translating "quell" with a single Japanese word in all contexts. For example, 鎮圧する for emotions would sound unnatural. Always match the verb to what is being quelled.
General verb for suppressing or holding back emotions, urges, or impulses. Very common and natural.
怒りを抑えるのに苦労した。
I struggled to quell my anger.
彼は笑いを抑えられなかった。
He couldn't quell his laughter.
To calm or soothe emotions, often with a nuance of quieting something agitated. Slightly more literary than 抑える.
彼女は恐怖を静めようとした。
She tried to quell her fear.
To appease or pacify strong emotions, often used in formal or literary contexts. Can also be used for calming physical pain or spiritual unrest.
心の動揺を鎮める。
Quell one's inner turmoil.
The government sent troops to quell the rebellion.
Can also mean to quell unrest or disturbances, but less forceful than 鎮圧する. Often implies calming rather than crushing.
騒ぎを鎮める。
Quell the disturbance.
To ease or alleviate anxiety. A softer, more everyday expression than 払拭する.
その知らせで不安が和らいだ。
The news quelled my anxiety.