猛もう威いを振ふるう

Meanings

1

expression, godan verb (-u)

Used for destructive forces such as storms, epidemics, or violence spreading uncontrollably. Often appears in news reports.

台たい風ふうが猛もう威いを振ふるい、多おおくの家いえが倒とう壊かいした。
The typhoon raged, causing many houses to collapse.

新しん型がたインフルエンザが世せ界かい中じゅうで猛もう威いを振ふるっている。

The new strain of influenza is rampant worldwide.

Written forms

猛もう威いを振ふるう
Standard kanji spelling; 振るう is the most common kanji for ふるう in this expression.
猛もう威いをふるう
Kana spelling of the verb part; commonly used when the kanji 振るう is considered difficult or to avoid confusion with other readings.
猛もう威いを奮ふるう
irregular kanji usage
Irregular kanji usage; 奮う is normally read ふるう in other contexts, but this spelling is occasionally seen.

Kanji

猛fierce, rave, rush
威intimidate, dignity, majesty
振shake, wave, wag
奮stirred up, be invigorated, flourish

Similar words

荒あれ狂くるう
荒れ狂う is a more general verb for 'to rage' or 'to storm', often used for natural forces or emotions, while 猛威を振るう specifically emphasizes the widespread destructive impact.
蔓まん延えんする
蔓延する means 'to spread' or 'to be prevalent', typically for diseases or undesirable things, but lacks the violent, destructive nuance of 猛威を振るう.

Etymology

Compound of 猛威 (もうい, 'fierce power' or 'violence') + を + 振るう (ふるう, 'to wield' or 'to exercise'). Literally 'to wield fierce power', the expression is used for destructive forces acting violently and extensively.