Word for opposing sides in a war
What word would I use when describing two opposing sides in a war?
Assuming I want to refer to them in a manner similar to the following:
Comparing/contrasting the ____'s of the war.
Using opposing sides lacks eloquence in my opinion. I'm also open to rewording the above so that opposing sides is not needed.
Solution 1:
I like this one: belligerents.
Solution 2:
opponents
or
combatants
equally include both sides in any kind of, well, opposition.
Solution 3:
Adversaries is another option.