obstruction vs handicap

handicap vs obstruction

obstruction and handicap both are nouns.

obstruction is not a verb while handicap is a verb.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
obstruction	Yes	No	No	No
handicap	Yes	No	Yes	No

As nouns, handicap is a hypernym of obstruction; that is, handicap is a word with a broader meaning than obstruction:

obstruction: something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
handicap: something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress

Other hypernyms of obstruction include balk, baulk, check, deterrent, hinderance, hindrance, impediment.

obstruction (noun)	handicap (noun)
getting in someone's way	advantage given to a competitor to equalize chances of winning
the act of obstructing	something immaterial that interferes with or delays action or progress
any structure that makes progress difficult	the condition of being unable to perform as a consequence of physical or mental unfitness
something immaterial that stands in the way and must be circumvented or surmounted
the physical condition of blocking or filling a passage with an obstruction

obstruction (verb)	handicap (verb)
	injure permanently
	put at a disadvantage
	attempt to forecast the winner (especially in a horse race) and assign odds for or against a contestant

Difference between obstruction and handicap

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