I’ve already looked over a few different examples that explained the preferred usage of one of these verbs in context. And to be honest, I already have somewhat of a clue as to when to use which. However, I thought it might be nice for the community, if one of you natives might be able to clear up the matter once and for all.
I do understand the differences between sich fühlen and anfühlen. The ones I have more trouble differentiating between are verspüren, spüren, and empfinden.
Some phrases like:
1.) Ich habe aus irgendeinem Grund den Drang wieder verspürt, mit ihr wieder einmal Kontakt aufzunehmen.
Or:
2.) Er spürte Gefahr, als er sich auf die schwach beleuchtete Straße begab.
In both contexts, it seems as if one could well translate the verbs spüren and verspüren as sense. So, in principle, something you either sense or intuit.