Look for a join, say (4)
I believe the answer is:
seem
'look' is the definition.
(synonyms)
'join say' is the wordplay.
'join' becomes 'seam' (seaming is a kind of joining).
'say' indicates a 'sounds like' (homophone) clue.
'seam' is a homophone of 'SEEM'.
'for a' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for seem that I've seen before include "Appear, look" , "Come across as" , "Appear to the eye" , "Appear, give impression of being" .)