The heavy family responsibilities oppress him, leaving almost no room to breathe.

oppress 是动词，由前缀 op-（表示"对抗"）和词根 press（"压"）组成，字面意思是"压住对方"，引申为"压迫、压抑"。这个词描述的是心理或精神上被重压的感觉，就像被什么东西压得喘不过气来。