encumbrance vs impediment

encumbrance and impediment both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
encumbrance	Yes	No	No	No
impediment	Yes	No	No	No

As nouns, impediment is a hypernym of encumbrance; that is, impediment is a word with a broader meaning than encumbrance:

Other hypernyms of encumbrance include impedimenta, obstructer, obstruction, obstructor.

encumbrance (noun)	impediment (noun)
any obstruction that impedes or is burdensome	any structure that makes progress difficult
an onerous or difficult concern	something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
a charge against property (as a lien or mortgage)