Looks to be the way to the river (5)

I believe the answer is:

seems

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'looks to be' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'the way to the river' is the wordplay.
'the way to' becomes 'se' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'the river' becomes 'ems' (I've seen this before).
'se'+'ems'='SEEMS'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for seems that I've seen before include "Appears, looks" , "Gives a certain impression" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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