Final answer:
The sentence 'Tom is lounging at home' carries a negative connotation, implying idleness or a lack of activity.
Step-by-step explanation:
The sentence with a negative connotation among the provided options is:
C) Tom is lounging at home.
Connotation refers to the emotions or associations that a word generally carries beyond its dictionary definition. In this case, 'lounging' may imply idleness or lack of activity, which can be perceived negatively in certain contexts. On the other hand, 'resting,' 'relaxing,' and 'recuperating' carry more neutral or positive connotations, as they suggest taking time for self-care or recovery from illness or tiredness without an underlying judgment.