noun, adjectival noun or quasi-adjective, takes genitive case の

Oft. as 〜に.
  1. (out of) desperation, (as a) last resort, (driven by) pain.

Variations

Pronunciation Kanji Kana Is Common
 
 
苦し紛れ くるしまぎれ
 
 
 
 
苦しまぎれ くるしまぎれ

Contained Kanji Breakdown

suffering, trial, worry
ク くる.しい にが.い (3rd, N3)
grass, grass radical (no. 140)
old
コ ふる.い ふゆ (2nd, N4)
ten
ジュウ ジッ ジュッ (1st, N5)
mouth
くち コウ ク (1st, N4)
distract, be mistaken for, go astray
まぎ.れる フン (8th, N1)
thread
いと シ (1st, N2)
short thread radical (no. 52)
ヨウ ちいさい (Kentei 1)
little, small
ショウ こ- ちい.さい (1st, N5)
feathered stick, barb radical (no. 6)
ケツ かぎ (Kentei 1)
eight, eight radical (no. 12)
ハチ や はっ (1st, N5)
part, minute of time, segment
ブン わ.ける ブ (2nd)
sword, saber, knife
かたな トウ ち (2nd, N1)