Do ceremoniously and ceremonially mean the same thing?

Question

Today a reader asked, "What is the difference between ceremoniously and ceremonially?"

Answer

These two words have very similar meanings, so I can understand why you ask this question. But there are differences. As you can see from the definitions and example sentences below, ceremoniously emphasizes the formality of a gesture, whereas ceremonially is used more literally, to describe an action that is actually part of a ceremony. In addition, ceremonially has a second meaning: in a way that lacks real power or influence.

ceremoniously
: in a manner that is formal and serious, and suitable for a ceremony

• They shook hands ceremoniously.

ceremonially
1  : as part of a ceremony

• She ceremonially invited the audience to close their eyes and listen.

2 : in a way that lacks real power or influence 

• The swords are now used only ceremonially. [=only as part of a ceremony]

Finally, it is worth mentioning that neither of these words is used as frequently as the word unceremoniously, which is often used to mean “in a quick and sudden way, without any effort to be careful or polite,” as in this example:

• The team unceremoniously dumped him at the end of the season.

I hope this helps.