This is the 17681st most frequent Russian word.
угнетать
To oppress or suppress.
The word 'угнетать' means 'to oppress' or 'to weigh down', used here to describe a metaphorical emotional burden.
Он чувствовал, как осознание своей вины начало угнетать его.
He felt how the realization of his guilt started to oppress him.
Here, 'угнетать' is used in its more literal sense of 'oppression' in regards to social or political domination.
Деспотическая власть веками старалась угнетать народ.
The despotic power tried to oppress the people for centuries.
The verb 'угнетать' here reflects a personal internal struggle, depicting emotional influence as oppressive.