A desperate or makeshift action or excuse made under pressure; a last-ditch attempt or temporary measure (often used as 〜に or with の).
彼は苦し紛れに冗談を言って場を和ませた。
He told a joke as a desperate attempt to lighten the mood.
苦し紛れの言い訳を並べるよりも、正直に謝った方がいい。
Rather than offering desperate excuses, it's better to apologize honestly.
彼女は苦し紛れに携帯に電話をかけた。
She made a phone call out of desperation.
苦し紛れに提出した企画書は、内容が薄かった。
The proposal she submitted as a stopgap measure was weak in content.