Like the sea when a cutter cleaves through it? (6)

I believe the answer is:

choppy

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'like' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are adjectives. Maybe you can see a link between them that I don't see?

I don't understand how the remainder of the clue works.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for choppy that I've seen before include "(Of seas) rough" , "Moderately rough (sea)" , "(Of the sea) a bit rough" , "Slightly rough (at sea)" , "a little rough" .)

I've seen this clue in the Evening Standard.

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