WordMasters - April 2020 Crossword

We didn't think we could play without her in the finals; she is the __ of our team.
The soprano, alto, tenor, and bass voices truly seemed to __ beautifully; it sounded like instruments rather than student voices.
There was a(n) __ of people on the field after the football game ended, which is a gathering of people.
Clowns dress this way in order to draw attention to themselves.
Some of the news we received from our federal government seemed __, which means it 'seems' true, but it actually false.
When we took the test, it was important that everyone was __, meaning there was no deceit or trickery.
Mrs. Shaffer is trying to get us to be more succinct in our writing, rather than being too wordy or __.
To beat harshly with a rod or whip.
Each time I fall, I __ my knees.
__, or placate, is to calm someone down.
Cohort or accomplice, usually of a criminal gang.
This is when the ice cracks or you make a grand mistake.