The term 'appear as' can be broken down into five crossword solutions: PERFORM (7 letters), REPRESENT (9 letters), ARE (3 letters), SEEM (4 letters), and LOOM (4 letters). To 'PERFORM' is to do something, usually in a public setting. To 'REPRESENT' is to stand for or act on behalf of someone else. To 'are' is the present tense of the verb 'to be'. To 'SEEM' is to give the impression of being something. To 'LOOM' is to appear large and threatening.