(It is) as if...; s.t. appears to be like...; s.t. seems to...
Often ibāt is combined with kuwe' though either one would convey the full meaning.
The words of that person seem not to be very trustworthy.
Sakinen ibāt sakinun.
His sickness appears to be like your sickness.
The wealth of people is like the sea, it ebbs and flows. (It has low and high tides.)