1.
to swing around, to brandish, to wield
To move something vigorously in circular or sweeping motions.
子供がおもちゃの剣を振り回している。
The child is swinging around a toy sword.
権力を振り回す。
To wield power (aggressively).
Figurative - negative connotation
2.
to boss around, to keep someone busy
To cause someone trouble or make them run around dealing with one's demands or whims.
上司に振り回されて大変だ。
I'm exhausted from being bossed around by my supervisor.
Passive form - common usage
TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞 (transitive). Compound verb: 振る + 回す. Pattern: Xを振り回す (swing X around / boss X around).
ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action. 振り回している = 'is swinging around' or 'is bossing around.'
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 権力を振り回す (abuse one's power)
- 人を振り回す (boss people around)
- ～に振り回される (be run ragged by ~)
NUANCE: Both senses often carry negative connotations - sense 1 implies reckless or aggressive action, and sense 2 implies causing trouble for others.