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Encumbrance vs Obstacle - What's the difference?

encumbrance | obstacle |

As nouns the difference between encumbrance and obstacle

is that encumbrance is something that encumbers; a burden that must be carried while obstacle is something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress.

encumbrance

English

Alternative forms

* incumbrance

Noun

(en noun)
  • Something that encumbers; a burden that must be carried.
  • *
    • Some consideration was necessary to decide whether or not to leave his rifle there. On the return, carrying the girl and a pack, it would be added encumbrance
  • (legal) an interest, right, burden, or liability attached to a title of land, such as a lien or mortgage.

    • obstacle

    English

    (Obstacle course)

    Noun

    (en noun)
  • Something that impedes, stands in the way of, or holds up progress
    • A big obstacle to understanding the manual was that it had been poorly translated from the Japanese.

    Synonyms

    * impediment * hindrance * hurdle * See also