Crossword Genius

Looked as if made equal? (6)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

peered

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'looked' is the definition.
(peering is a kind of looking)

'if made equal?' is the wordplay.
I cannot really understand how this works, but
'equal?' could be 'peer' (synonyms) and 'peer' is located in the answer.
The remaining letters 'ed' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This explanation may well be incorrect...

'as' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for peered that I've seen before include "Having been made a Lord < examined" , "Look searchingly" , "Looked searchingly" , "Looked closely" , "Looked through narrowed eyes" .)

I've seen this clue in The Irish Independent.
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